ARDMORE, OK - According to a report from the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety, traffic related deaths were down almost 10% in 2009. Dara Downs has more on how local law enforcement agencies are working to keep you safer on the roads.

Local law enforcement officers tell me while they are always happy to see a drop in traffic related deaths, the loss of 669 lives on Oklahoma roads last year is still far too many.

Sgt. Eric Hamblin of the Ardmore Police Department says with all the distractions available to drivers today, most of us forget our main agenda when we're behind the wheel.

"I think drivers, especially in today's society with the proliferation of cell phones and texting and everything going on, sometimes drivers don't pay as much attention as they should to their driving," Hamblin says.

"All it takes is the blink of an eye. It's a split second, and your life or somebody else's lives are lost or permanently changed."

According to a report issued by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol there has been a steady decline in traffic related deaths since 1999. Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper Ken Duncan says for many drivers simply spotting a highway patrolman on the road can slow them down.

"I believe our enforcement may be making a help in that, as always we try to keep a high visibility, let people know we are out there to keep them cautious and keep them minded on their driving," Duncan says.

Trooper Duncan says while the numbers may be down too many drivers continue to put themselves and others at risk of getting hurt.

"Speed and alcohol are the main causes of most of our fatalities. If we can get people to slow down it would drop that number even more."

Trooper Duncan says a lot of the fatalities he's seen on the job could have been prevented the victim wearing their seat belt.

Something that only takes a second to do could end up saving your life.

"If they're just going around the corner to the store or going around the corner to their friend's house, still buckle up. You never know when that accident may occur because there's always the other driver on the road also."

OHP says if you see another driver on the road and are concerned about their driving, you can dial *55 from your cell phone to make a report, or simply call 911.