November traffic fatalities tied for third lowest since WWII

Last month, 50 people died in 42 Wisconsin traffic crashes, which tied it for the third safest month of November in terms of traffic deaths since World War II, according to preliminary statistics from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. The deadliest month of November occurred in 1973 with 110 traffic deaths and the safest occurred in 2008 with 41 fatalities.

The Thanksgiving holiday travel period from 6 p.m. on Nov. 23 to midnight on Nov. 27 was tied for the fewest traffic fatalities in the last 11 years. Four people died in crashes during this year’s Thanksgiving travel period compared with seven deaths last year.

Traffic fatalities last month were seven more than November 2010 but two fewer than the five-year average for the month of November.

As of the end of November, 515 people have died in Wisconsin traffic crashes, including 77 motorcycle drivers, eight motorcycle passengers, 54 pedestrians and 12 bicyclists. Traffic deaths through November were 10 fewer than during the same period in 2010 and 68 fewer than the five-year average.

“Traffic deaths are always tragic, but they can be even more painful for families during the holiday season,” says State Patrol Major Sandra Huxtable, director of the Wisconsin DOT Bureau of Transportation Safety in the press release.

“That’s why law enforcement agencies around the state will be on the lookout for drunken drivers and unbelted motorists during the Booze and Belts mobilization from December 9 to 17. The motivation for the mobilization is not to write more tickets but to protect individuals, families and whole communities from the devastating effects of traffic crashes. We hope that one day we’ll attain zero preventable traffic deaths in Wisconsin,” she said. “And there’s no better time of year to work toward that goal than right now.”