Traffic deaths: May was third safest month since end of WWII

MADISON (WITI) -- Last month, 48 people died in crashes on Wisconsin roadways, which tied it for the third safest month of May 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 April occurred last year with 32 traffic fatalities, and the deadliest May was in 1968 with 123 fatalities.

Traffic fatalities last month were 16 more than May 2013 and one fewer than the five-year average for the month of May.

Eleven people died in traffic crashes during the Memorial Day weekend. Last year, eight people died during the holiday weekend.

As of May 31, a total of 164 people have died in Wisconsin traffic crashes this year, including 18 motorcycle drivers, two motorcycle passengers, 18 pedestrians, and one bicyclist. Traffic deaths through May were one fewer than the same period in 2013 and 22 fewer than the five-year average.