Last month was the safest February for traffic fatalities in Wisconsin since monthly records were first compiled in 1937. A total of 21 people died in traffic crashes in February. That’s five fewer than February 2013 and nine fewer than the five-year average for the month, according to preliminary statistics from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. Compare that with the deadliest month of February in 1968, with 73 fatalities.
David Pabst, director of the WisDOT Bureau of Transportation Safety, said frigid temperatures and snow storms last month led to reduced driving speeds, and that helped curtail serious traffic crashes.
As of February 28, a total of 56 people have died in traffic fatalities this year including 13 passengers and nine pedestrians. Traffic deaths through February were 13 fewer than the same period last year and nine fewer than the five year average.
The DOT’s Pabst added that the return of warm weather will mean more bicyclists, pedestrians, scooters, and motorcycles on the roads – and drivers will need to be alert to those other roadway users.