July Traffic Deaths Spike From Previous Years

July 2012 proved to be a deadly month on Wisconsin roadways, according to a release by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT).

Sixty-eight people died in 60 traffic crashes in Wisconsin last month, which was nine more than in July 2011 and eight more than the five-year average for the month of July, according to preliminary statistics from WisDOT. 

“We’re experiencing the all too predictable—and tragic—summer surge in serious crashes. This also is the time of year when we see a significant increase in crashes in road construction and maintenance work zones,” said Wisconsin State Patrol Maj. Sandra Huxtable, director of the Bureau of Transportation Safety. “Driving through a work zone is always challenging, but your reaction time and margin for error are dangerously reduced if you speed, tailgate or don’t pay attention to rapidly changing traffic situations, such as vehicles slowing down or stopping.”

Muskego residents have become quite used to construction zones, with no less than three major road projects underway, and lane closures in another due to off road construction.  Janesville Road is the largest and most impactful, with Tess Corners Drive and Pioneer Drive projects also closing through routes, and Woods Road recreational trail construction creating partial lane obstructions as well.

In terms of traffic deaths, the safest month of July since World War II occurred in 2009 with 46 fatalities, and the months of July in 1966 and 1971 were the deadliest with 140 fatalities.

Three people died in traffic crashes during the Fourth of July holiday period.  Last year, five people died during the holiday period.

As of July 31, a total of 333 people have died in Wisconsin traffic crashes in 2012, including 54 motorcycle drivers, eight motorcycle passengers, 23 pedestrians and four bicyclists.  Traffic deaths through July were 44 more than during the same period in 2011 and eight more than the five-year average.