With a total of 46 traffic fatalities, last month was the safest September in terms of deaths on Wisconsin roads since World War II, according to preliminary statistics from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.
The previous safest September occurred in 2008 with 50 traffic deaths. The deadliest September was in 1973 with 116 fatalities.
Traffic fatalities last month were 12 fewer than September 2010 and 17 fewer than the five-year average for the month of September.
As of the end of September, 409 people have died in 380 Wisconsin traffic crashes in 2011, including 70 motorcycle drivers, seven motorcycle passengers, 36 pedestrians and 10 bicyclists. Traffic deaths through September were 17 fewer than during the same period in 2010 and 67 fewer than the five-year average.
“Although fewer people lost their lives on our roads than any other month of September in more than half a century, there were still 46 people who didn’t return home because of a crash,” said Maj. Sandra Huxtable, director of the DOT Bureau of Transportation Safety. “Any preventable traffic death is one too many. Motorists can help reach our goal of zero preventable traffic deaths in Wisconsin by slowing down, making sure everyone in their vehicle is buckled up, always driving sober, and eliminating distractions behind the wheel.”
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