In June, 51 people died in Wisconsin traffic crashes. It was the fourth safest month of June in terms of traffic deaths since the end of World War II, according to preliminary statistics from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT). The safest month of June occurred last year with 44 fatalities, and the deadliest month of June was in 1956 with 115 fatalities.

Traffic fatalities last month were seven more than June 2015, but two fewer than the five-year average for the month of June.

Although fatalities moderated last month, traffic deaths in Wisconsin through June 30 were still about 9 percent higher than the same period last year. A total of 273 people have died in crashes this year, including 26 motorcycle operators, two motorcycle passengers, 24 pedestrians, and five bicyclists. Traffic deaths through the end of June were 22 more than the same period last year and 37 more than the five-year average.

“July has started out to be a deadly month on Wisconsin roads. During the holiday weekend from Friday evening, July 1, to midnight on July 4, there were 10 traffic fatalities in Wisconsin,” says David Pabst, director of the WisDOT Bureau of Transportation Safety. “During summer months when traffic fatalities generally spike because of more vehicles on the road traveling at higher speeds, exceeding the posted speed limit is inherently dangerous. Driving just 5 mph over the limit puts drivers, their passengers and everyone else on the road at a greater risk of a serious crash. Stopping distances increase and reaction time decreases at higher speeds. Last year, speed-related crashes killed 155 people and injured more than 7,600. We are urging all motorists to slow down especially in areas with heavy traffic and road construction work zones.”