Wisconsin Roads Record Fewest Deaths in 4-Year Period in 84 Years

According to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT), Wisconsin in 2011 had fewer than 600 traffic deaths, which marks the fourth consecutive year for that benchmark. The last time Wisconsin had fewer than 600 traffic fatalities for four years in a row was 84-years ago from 1924 to 1927.

The 569 traffic deaths recorded in 2011 is seven more than 2010 but 59 fewer than the previous five-year average, according to preliminary statistics from WisDOT.

"We are encouraged that traffic fatalities in Wisconsin are at levels not experienced since the 1920s when the number of vehicles and the miles traveled were miniscule compared to today," said State Patrol Major Sandra Huxtable, director of the Bureau of Transportation Safety in a release from the department.

"There is no single factor that caused a reduction of this magnitude during the last four years... But most fatal crashes are caused by bad driving habits and irresponsible decisions. Therefore, motorists who slow down, pay attention, buckle up and drive sober deserve a great deal of credit for saving their own lives and the lives of others. Nevertheless, because most traffic deaths are preventable, more than 500 annual fatalities are still far too many."

Major Huxtable cited the economic downturn in reducing traffic volumes, but also credited law enforcement officers throughout the state, emergency medical responders, highway engineers and the entire traffic safety community for their tireless and effective efforts to prevent crashes and save lives.

Traffic deaths among drivers and passengers increased from 395 in 2010 to 410 in 2011, which was approximately a 4 percent increase. Fatalities for bicyclists and pedestrians also increased slightly in 2011 compared with 2010. However, there was an approximately 18 percent reduction in motorcyclists' deaths—from 104 in 2010 to 85 in 2011.