April was Fourth Safest Traffic Month in Wisconsin since World War II

In April, 38 people died in traffic crashes on Wisconsin roads, which tied it for the fourth safest month of April in terms of traffic deaths since the end of World War II, according to preliminary statistics from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT). The safest month of April since World War II occurred in 2014 with 25 traffic deaths, and the deadliest was in 1973 with 113 deaths.

Traffic fatalities last month were 12 fewer than April 2015 but one more than the five-year average for the month of April.

As of April 30, a total of 161 people have died in Wisconsin traffic crashes this year, including four motorcyclists, 14 pedestrians and three bicyclists. Traffic deaths through April were 11 more than the same period in 2015 and 26 more than the five-year average. 

"Consistent safety belt use by all drivers and passengers in both front and rear seats is a key to reducing traffic deaths. To prevent deaths and serious injuries, law enforcement agencies from all over Wisconsin will be out in force during the annual Click It or Ticket safety belt enforcement mobilization from May 23 to June 5. Whenever officers observe unbuckled drivers and passengers, they will stop the vehicle and issue citations," says David Pabst, director of the WisDOT Bureau of Transportation Safety. "Officers are serious about safety belt enforcement because lives are destroyed, families are devastated, and society suffers substantial economic losses when people are needlessly killed or seriously injured in crashes because they were not wearing a safety belt."