A total of 34 people died in Wisconsin traffic crashes during February

March 5, 2008

A total of 34 people died in 33 Wisconsin traffic crashes in February, according to preliminary statistics from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.

In terms of traffic deaths, February was the eighth safest month of February since World War II. The safest month of February occurred in 1983 with 23 traffic fatalities. The deadliest month of February was in 1968 with 73 deaths.

Even though February had one extra day because of leap year, there were eight fewer traffic deaths than during the same month last year and nine fewer fatalities than the five-year average for the month of February

As of Feb. 29, a total of 83 people have died in 79 Wisconsin traffic crashes during 2008, including nine pedestrians and one bicyclist. Traffic deaths through February were 12 fewer than during the same period in 2007 and 18 fewer than the five-year average.

"With relentless winter storms making roads treacherous throughout the state in February, law enforcement officers and tow truck operators were swamped with crashes, slide-offs and stuck vehicles. However, terrible driving conditions also generally reduced traffic volumes and speeds, which likely contributed to a drop in violent crashes that cause fatalities," says Dennis Hughes, chief of safety programs for the Wisconsin State Patrol Bureau of Transportation Safety. "Although everyone is hoping for an early end to months of snow and ice, we still have a lot of unpredictable weather ahead. To protect yourself and other motorists when roads are slippery, you must slow down and leave plenty of room for other vehicles. You also need to buckle up in case your vehicle slides off the road or is involved in a crash."

For more information, contact:
Dennis Hughes,
(608) 267-9075,  dennis.hughes@dot.state.wi.us