Traffic deaths last month were second lowest for month of April

May 7, 2008

With a total of 37 fatalities in 32 Wisconsin traffic crashes, last month was the second safest month of April in terms of traffic deaths since World War II, according to preliminary statistics from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. The safest month of April occurred in 1998 with 34 traffic fatalities, and the deadliest month of April was in 1973 with 113 fatalities.

Traffic fatalities in April were 26 fewer than in April 2007 when 63 people died in 54 crashes and 22 fewer than the five-year average of 59 deaths in 51 crashes during the month of April.

As of April 30, a total of 151 people have died in 141 Wisconsin traffic crashes during 2008, including three motorcycle drivers, 16 pedestrians and one bicyclist. Traffic deaths through April were 64 fewer than during the same period in 2007 and 65 fewer than the five-year average.

"The dramatic decline in traffic fatalities so far this year is encouraging. However, the traditionally high-fatality months are still ahead of us," says Dennis Hughes, chief of safety programs for the Wisconsin State Patrol Bureau of Transportation Safety. "One of our major concerns this time of year is motorcycle crashes. Last year, 110 motorcycle drivers and passengers were killed in Wisconsin traffic crashes compared with 93 deaths in 2006. To help prevent deaths and injuries, Governor Jim Doyle designated May as Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month in Wisconsin. As more motorcycles return to our streets and highways, all drivers must share the road and watch for motorcycles in traffic, especially at intersections and while making turns or lane changes."

For more information, contact:
Dennis Hughes, Wisconsin State Patrol Bureau of Transportation Safety
608-267-9075, dennis.hughes@dot.state.wi.us