CALUMET COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) – A report from the State Department of Transportation shows that Wisconsin roads are becoming increasingly safer.
Data from the preliminary report showed a total of 565 deadly crashes that took place between January 1st and December 30th of 2018.
That number represents a trend in the right direction.
“We did better this year than last, our overall fatalities are down about 4 percent, ” says David Pabst, the Director of Transportation Safety.
He says they’ve taken steps to make roads safer.
“We’re doing road treatments where you have rumble strips on the center line and the shoulder,” says Pabst. “Roundabouts are another one that has created a safer environment, so fatalities are down in those areas.”
The number of crash-related deaths in Northeast Wisconsin was 121 and more than half of the total traffic deaths in the state took place in rural areas.
Officials say there are a few attributes that might lead to that distinction.
“You’re going to have narrower roads, high speeds, smaller shoulders, incidents with wildlife, distracted driving,” says Ryan Mcclintock, the Service Director for Great Lakes EMS.
Luckily, some of the road treatments being rolled out in rural areas are keeping the numbers from being even higher.
“We were thrilled to have a couple of roundabouts out here in Calumet County and Highway 10,” says McClintock. “Those things have been lifesavers, those were fatal intersections.”
And even with road treatments being implemented to improve safety, it still comes down to the motorist choosing whether or not to practice safe driving habits.
“You need to be a defensive driver, especially on the rural roads,” says McClintock. “These aren’t fenced roads and have break down lanes, also don’t be distracted.”
There already have been three fatal crashes in Wisconsin reported in 2019, according to the weekly fatality report from the DOT.
