Traffic fatalities up in September

By Kelsie Hoitomt

According to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, as of September 30, 2012 a total of 480 people have died in Wisconsin traffic crashes, including 85 motorcycle drivers, 13 motorcycle passengers, 32 pedestrians and seven bicyclists. These numbers show that traffic deaths through September were 73 more than during the same period last year and 28 more than the five-year average.

This has been one of the deadliest years on record for motorcyclists. Figures show the average age of the victims has increased to around 48 years old, compared to 30 years old two decades ago.

Wisconsin State Patrol Major, Sandra Huxtable explained that it is causing grave concern with the increasing amount of people not wearing helmets or seat belts, which is resulting in these traffic fatalities.

The safest month since World Word II was September 2011 with 49 fatalities and the deadliest was in 1973 with 116 fatalities.