MADISON (WITI) -- Traffic deaths in August were the fourth lowest total for the month since the end of World War II.
63 people died in 61 traffic crashes in August, according to preliminary statistics from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT).
The safest month of August occurred in 2009 with 52 traffic fatalities. The deadliest month of August was in 1969 with 154 fatalities — the single worst month in Wisconsin history.
Traffic fatalities last month were five more than August 2012 but three fewer than the five-year average for the month of August.
During the Labor Day weekend period from Friday evening, August 30, to midnight on Monday, September 2, eight people died in eight crashes including four motorcycle drivers. There were no fatal motorcycle crashes in Milwaukee County during the Harley-Davidson 110th anniversary celebration from August 29 to September 1. Last year, 10 people died in 10 crashes over the Labor Day holiday weekend.