State traffic deaths last month were the second lowest of any month of March since World War II

April 5, 2012

Last month, Wisconsin had the second lowest number of traffic fatalities of any month of March since World War II. In March, 27 people died in 25 traffic crashes in Wisconsin, according to preliminary statistics from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT).

In terms of traffic deaths, the safest month of March occurred in 2010 with 23 fatalities, and the deadliest month of March was in 1970 with 99 fatalities. Traffic deaths last month were two fewer than March 2011 and six fewer than the five-year average for the month of March.

As of March 31, a total of 107 people have died in Wisconsin traffic crashes during 2012 including three motorcycle drivers, one motorcycle passenger and five pedestrians. Traffic deaths through March were 17 more than during the same period in 2011 and two more than the five-year average.

"With the arrival of warm weather and rapidly increasing gas prices, more motorcycle riders, scooter riders, bicyclists and pedestrians are using the roadways," says State Patrol Major Sandra Huxtable, director of the WisDOT Bureau of Transportation Safety. "To save lives and prevent injuries, motorists must share the road. They must diligently be watching for motorcycles, scooters, bikes and pedestrians particularly at intersections and while making turns or lane changes. They also need to pay strict attention to traffic conditions around them by eliminating distractions. In turn, all motorcyclists, scooter riders, bicyclists and pedestrians as well as motorists, need to obey all traffic signals and respect the rights of others to safely use our roadways. We all must do our part to make our roadways as safe as possible."

For more information, contact:
State Patrol Major Sandra Huxtable, Bureau of Transportation Safety
(608) 266-3048, sandra.huxtable@dot.wi.gov