MADISON, Wis. (WSAU) — The number of people that died on Wisconsin highways jumped 13% in 2015. That figure released Monday by the Wisconsin Department of Transporation, which says there were 556 fatalities. That’s up from 494 highway deaths in 2014, which was considered the safest year since Wisconsin started keeping track of highway deaths. The 2015 figure is six more than the five-year average.
State traffic statisticians say warm spring weather, cheap gas and an improving economy probably contributed to more vehicles on the road and more total miles traveled.
It’s too soon to know if raising the speed limit to 70 miles per hour on interstates and other limited access highways was a factor, but DOT officials are studying that data as well.
