Wisconsin traffic deaths in 2007 lower than 5-year average
January 2, 2008
A total of 739 people died in state traffic crashes last year
Wisconsin ended 2007 with 739 traffic deaths in 657 crashes, according to preliminary statistics from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. Traffic fatalities last year were 27 more than in 2006 when 712 people died in 659 crashes but 49 fewer than the five-year average of 788 deaths in 709 crashes.
Included in the preliminary 2007 traffic death toll were 111 motorcyclists (106 motorcycle drivers and five passengers), 10 bicyclists and 56 pedestrians. Motorcyclists' fatalities last year increased by 18 compared with 2006 when 93 motorcyclists (81 drivers and 12 passengers) died in traffic crashes. The number of pedestrians killed in crashes in 2007 was the same as 2006, and the number of bicyclists killed in crashes increased by two.
"Much of the increase in traffic fatalities in 2007 can be attributed to the nearly 20 percent increase in motorcyclists' deaths," said Dennis Hughes, chief of safety programs for the Wisconsin State Patrol Bureau of Transportation Safety. "Moreover, although there were fewer fatal crashes in 2007 compared with the previous year, there were more people killed per crash last year. In 2006, we had an unusually low number of crashes with multiple fatalities. In 2007, the number of crashes with multiple fatalities was closer to normal."
The number of fatalities for 2007 will not be final until spring to account for delays in reporting, revisions in the cause of death, and deaths in 2008 resulting from injuries suffered in crashes in late 2007.
The year ended with December designated as the third safest month of December in terms of traffic deaths since World War II. In December, 44 people died in 41 crashes, which was 10 fewer traffic deaths than in December 2006. During the Christmas holiday (from 6 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 21 to midnight on Tuesday, Dec. 25), 13 people were killed in 12 crashes.
"To prevent needless deaths and injuries from traffic crashes, law enforcement agencies and traffic safety organizations will continue their efforts in 2008 to motivate motorists to slow down, buckle up and drive sober, " Hughes said. "A major challenge this year in Wisconsin and across the nation will be to prevent fatal and serious injury crashes involving motorcycles as this form of transportation for commuting and recreation becomes more popular. Motorists need to share the road and watch for motorcycles while motorcyclists need to ride sober, obey all traffic laws and wear proper safety gear."
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Wisconsin traffic fatalities & fatal crashes since 1990 Source: Wisconsin Traffic Crash Facts available on the WisDOT Web site at http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/safety/motorist/crashfacts/index.htm |
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Year |
Fatalities |
Fatal Crashes |
| 1990 | 763 | 672 |
| 1991 | 795 | 675 |
| 1992 | 645 | 579 |
| 1993 | 703 | 616 |
| 1994 | 706 | 616 |
| 1995 | 739 | 656 |
| 1996 | 759 | 656 |
| 1997 | 721 | 631 |
| 1998 | 709 | 628 |
| 1999 | 744 | 674 |
| 2000 | 801 | 718 |
| 2001 | 764 | 684 |
| 2002 | 805 | 723 |
| 2003 | 836 | 748 |
| 2004 | 784 | 714 |
| 2005 | 801 | 700 |
| 2006 | 712 | 659 |
| 2007 | 739* | 657* |
*preliminary number
Note: Although far too many people still die needlessly each year in Wisconsin traffic crashes, fatalities were much higher from the 1960s until the 1980s when drunken driving and safety belt laws were strengthened.
- 1960 through 1963-more than 900 traffic fatalities each year.
- 1964 through 1973-more than 1,000 traffic fatalities each year-1972 was the deadliest year in terms of traffic deaths in Wisconsin history with 1,168 fatalities.
- 1973 through 1981-more than 900 traffic fatalities each year.
For more information, contact:
Dennis Hughes
(608) 267-9075,
dennis.hughes@dot.state.wi.us
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