October traffic deaths were third lowest since World War II

November 2, 2012

Last month, 51 people died in 47 Wisconsin traffic crashes, which made it the third safest month of October in terms of traffic deaths since World War II, according to preliminary statistics from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT). The safest month of October since World War II occurred in 2009 with 39 traffic deaths, and the deadliest October was in 1971 with 127 fatalities.

Traffic fatalities last month were four fewer than October 2011 and two fewer than the five-year average for the month of October.

As of the end of October, 531 people have died in 470 Wisconsin traffic crashes, including 100 motorcycle drivers, 13 motorcycle passengers, 36 pedestrians and nine bicyclists. Traffic deaths through October were 69 more than during the same period in 2011, which is approximately a 15 percent increase, and 26 more than the five-year average.

The number of traffic fatalities in October moderated somewhat compared with the 81 deaths in September, which was the highest number of traffic fatalities for the month of September since 2007 when 82 people died in crashes.

With winter weather approaching, motorists will need to become acclimated once again to driving under adverse conditions, advises Wisconsin State Patrol Major Sandra Huxtable, director of the WisDOT Bureau of Transportation Safety.

"It won’t be long before we’ll be hit with ice, snow, and limited visibility on roadways. To prevent crashes, drivers will need to slow down and pay attention when weather and road conditions deteriorate," she says. "Drivers also will need to adjust to more hours of darkness and should use their headlights to see and be seen by other drivers. Headlight use is especially important on rainy, snowy or foggy days. A sensible suggestion to follow is that if you turn on your windshield wipers you should also turn on your headlights."

For more information, c ontact:
Randy Romanski, WisDOT Bureau of Transportation Safety
(608) 267-9075, randy.romanski@dot.wi.gov