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WisDOT stated that last month’s numbers tied it for the sixth safest May on Wisconsin roads since the end of World War II. It was also equal to the five-year average. The safest May was in 2013 with 32 fatalities, and the deadliest was in 1968 with 123 traffic accident deaths.
The deadliest weekend in May, Memorial Day Weekend, saw a decline from 13 deaths last year to eight this year.
So far in 2016, a total of 217 people have died in traffic accidents, which is ten more than the first five months of last year and 34 more than the five-year average. That total breaks down to include one motorcycle passenger death, four bicyclists, 14 motorcycle drivers and 17 pedestrians.
According to the statistics, every month of 2016 has seen fewer traffic accident deaths than those in 2015, except February, which had more than double the usual number for that month. Officials attribute the increase to mild weather and low gas prices that drew more people out onto the roads than usual.
WisDOT officials believe the use of more orange construction barrels, zipper merges and traffic circles may be contributing to the decrease in traffic accident deaths this year. These mechanisms help slow traffic down and prevent accidents in dangerous areas.
Officials did note, however, that increasing the speed limit to 70 miles per hour on highways in rural areas may have unintentionally led to more accidents due to slow vehicles driving in the left lane. When this happens, faster drivers are more inclined to make riskier moves to get around the slow driver, often leading to accidents.
Drunk and distracted driving also remain the leading causes of accidents and accident fatalities throughout the state.
If you or someone you love has been injured or died in a car accident caused by another driver, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact our Milwaukee car crash lawyers today for a free, no obligation review of your claim.
Contact our Milwaukee injury lawers today by calling 414-333-3333 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form.
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by attorney Jeffery A. Pitman, who has more than 28 years of legal experience and handled thousands of personal injury cases while obtaining millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements in Wisconsin.
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