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A jump in traffic fatalities during the first two months of the year has state transportation officials urging drivers to be more careful on Wisconsin’s roads.
The state Department of Transportation says there was a 32 percent jump in traffic fatalities during January and February, compared to the same time period in 2014. There were 79 traffic-related deaths during the time period, which includes 47 in February alone.
Steve Olson with DOT says it should serve as a reminder to drivers to use caution and pay attention to the road while behind the wheel, especially as the weather warms up and more people begin traveling. “In most, fatal crashes are caused by driver behaviors,” he says, stressing that eliminating distractions, staying sober, and buckling up can all help to reduce the risk of a fatal crash.