Highway crashes, fatalities down in Wis
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The number of people killed in highway crashes so far this year in Wisconsin is down significantly.
The state Department of Transportation reports 347 people have died in accidents — 55 fewer than at the same time a year ago. That's a 14 percent drop.
Compared with the five-year average of 475 traffic deaths by the end of August, the number of fatalities this year is down 27 percent.
DOT spokesman Steve Olson says traffic safety experts attribute the decline, in part, to reduced driving because of the poor economy.
Last year, traffic crashes on Wisconsin roads and highways killed 587 people — 150 fewer than in 2007 and the lowest total in 64 years.
Sep 1, 2009 at 10:37 a.m.
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It's well known that traffic and traffic fatalities closely track the national economy. Anyway, the seat belt law has been in effect for over 20 years (last year, the enforcement trigger changed, but it was halfway through the year).
Sep 1, 2009 at 8:40 a.m.
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Or the fact that people are driving way less...
Sep 1, 2009 at 7:01 a.m.
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What? Nothing about the effectiveness of mandatory seat belt use?
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