Traffic deaths in Wisconsin last month were the second lowest for August since the end of World War II
Last month was the second safest month of August in terms of traffic deaths on Wisconsin roadways since the end of World War II.
Fifty-five people died in 46 traffic crashes in August, according to preliminary statistics from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. The safest August occurred in 2009 with 52 traffic fatalities, and the deadliest August was in 1969 with 154 fatalities—the single worst month in Wisconsin history.
Traffic fatalities last month were 14 fewer than August 2011 and 13 fewer than the five-year average for the month of August.
As of Aug. 31, a total of 397 people have died in Wisconsin traffic crashes during 2012, including 67 motorcycle drivers, 10 motorcycle passengers, 26 pedestrians and seven bicyclists.
Despite the moderation in fatalities last month, traffic deaths at the end of August were still 39 more than during the same period in 2011 and four more than the five-year average.
“Traffic fatalities so far this year have increased about 11 percent over the same time last year in large part because of a significant increase in motorcyclists’ deaths,” said State Patrol Major Sandra Huxtable, director of the Bureau of Transportation Safety. “As of Aug. 31, a total of 77 motorcyclists have been killed in crashes in 2012, which is approaching the 85 motorcyclists’ fatalities in all of 2011.
“Most of Wisconsin had an unusually warm and dry spring and summer, which generated more motorcyclists on the road and increased the potential for crashes. And if we have typical fall weather, the motorcycle riding season will continue for a few more months.”
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