Posted Thursday, November 5, 2009 --- 11:35 a.m.

Release from the DOT:

Traffic deaths last month were tied for lowest on record for October

Traffic deaths in Wisconsin last month were tied for the lowest on record for the month of October. Last month, 40 people were killed in 38 traffic crashes, which tied the record low set in October 1944. The deadliest October occurred in 1971 with 127 traffic deaths. The state started recording its monthly traffic fatality figures in 1937.

There were nine fewer fatalities last month than in October 2008 and 25 fewer than the five-year average for the month of October, according to preliminary statistics from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.

As of the end of October, 447 people have died in 405 Wisconsin traffic crashes, including 74 motorcycle drivers, seven motorcycle passengers, 30 pedestrians and six bicyclists. Traffic deaths through October were down 54 —an 11 percent reduction—compared with the same period in 2008 and down 162 compared with the five-year average.

“We certainly hope that the current 11 percent reduction in traffic fatalities continues or even improves in November. One of the big traffic safety challenges in November is the adjustment to winter driving conditions and more hours of darkness” says Dennis Hughes, chief of safety programs for the WisDOT Bureau of Transportation Safety. “In addition, deer are very active this time of year especially at dusk and dawn, which increases the potential for crashes.”