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Traffic deaths decrease in Rock County

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Lt. Gary Groelle

JANESVILLE — Officials aren’t ready to declare victory, but they have reason to celebrate: Traffic deaths remain down statewide and in Rock County.

“We’ve had a good couple years,” Rock County Sheriff’s Capt. Gary Groelle said. “People are understanding the dangers of driving and driving under the influence.”

Rock County had 18 traffic deaths in 2009, below the five-year average of 26, according to Wisconsin Department of Transportation data.

Statewide, traffic deaths declined in 2009 to 545, the lowest total since 1944, according to the transportation department.

Officials can’t pinpoint the reason for the decline, but they said drivers are becoming safer.

Last year, the state saw fewer alcohol-related fatalities, fewer pedestrian fatalities and a new primary seat belt law, officials said.

Improved weather, more law enforcement mobilization patrols and safer cars also contributed to fewer deaths, officials said.

“All those little things add up to saving a life or two, and we’re making progress,” Groelle said.

Traffic deaths started to decline in late 2007.

Officials attributed the trend to high gas prices and economic troubles causing people to drive less, said Dennis Hughes, the chief of safety programs for the state’s Bureau of Transportation Safety.

Last year, that theory was discarded because gas prices dropped and the economy stabilized, Hughes said.

The amount of traffic also increased from 2008 to 2009, he said.

So why are there fewer traffic deaths?

“We just attribute it to improved behavior across the board,” Hughes said. “I can’t measure that, but let’s give credit where credit is due.”

In Rock County, the sheriff’s office and other agencies have received grants for extra traffic patrol during holidays, graduation weekends and other events, Groelle said. The office also has tried to educate the public about safe driving.

“I firmly believe that message has gotten out,” he said. “You can save lives by being safe behind the wheel.”

In Walworth County, traffic deaths increased almost fivefold between 2008 and 2009.

Walworth County roads had 19 deaths in 2009, compared to four in 2008, according to DOT data.

Sheriff David Graves said there is no one factor that could explain why fatalities go up or down. Sometimes the state average is higher when county numbers go down, he said.

Capt. Scott McClory, who heads the patrol division at the sheriff’s office, said most fatalities in Walworth County tend to involve high speeds, no seatbelt and alcohol or drugs.

Despite the increase, the number of deaths reported in 2009 is still in line with the county’s five-year average of 17 deaths.

McClory said 2008 had unusually fewer deaths because it was a heavier than usual winter, which led drivers to slow down and more people to stay off the roads.

Walworth County

Walworth County traffic deaths rose almost fivefold in 2009 despite fatalities statewide falling to Wisconsin’s lowest total since World War II.

Walworth County roads had 19 deaths in 2009, compared to four in 2008, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation reported.

Sheriff David Graves said there is no one factor that could explain why fatalities go up or down. Sometimes the state average is higher when county numbers go down, he said.

Capt. Scott McClory, who heads the patrol division at the sheriff’s office, said most fatalities in Walworth County tend to involve high speeds, no seatbelt and alcohol or drugs.

Despite the increase, the number of deaths reported in 2009 still is in line with the county’s five-year average of 17 deaths. The county in 2007 had 13 deaths and in 2006 had 16. In the last five years, the highest death toll in Walworth County was 31 in 2005.

McClory said 2008 had unusually few deaths because it was a heavier than usual winter, which led drivers to slow down and more people to stay off the roads.