September traffic deaths were second lowest since World War II

October 1, 2009

Last month, 54 people died in 52 Wisconsin traffic crashes, which made it the second safest month of September in terms of traffic deaths since World War II, according to preliminary statistics from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. The safest month of September since World War II occurred last year with 50 traffic deaths, and the deadliest September was in 1973 with 116 fatalities. 

Traffic fatalities last month also were 16 fewer than the five-year average of 70 deaths for the month of September.

As of the end of September, 404 people have died in 365 Wisconsin traffic crashes, including 69 motorcycle drivers, seven motorcycle passengers, 27 pedestrians and six bicyclists.  Traffic deaths through September were down 48—about an 11 percent reduction—compared with the same period in 2008 and down 140 compared with the five-year average.

“If the current 11 percent reduction in traffic fatalities continues, Wisconsin could end the year with the lowest number of deaths since the early 1940s,” says Dennis Hughes, chief of safety programs for the WisDOT Bureau of Transportation Safety. “Since driver behavior is the single most important factor in reducing traffic crashes and their tragic effects, motorists deserve a great deal of credit for saving their own lives and the lives of others on the road.”

For more information, contact:
Dennis Hughes, Bureau of Transportation Safety
(608) 267-9075, dennis.hughes@dot.wi.gov