Wisconsin has a surprising number of fatal car accidents, with Milwaukee County in the lead. Known as having the most dangerous roads in the state, the alarming statistics have left officials scrambling to address the key factors on these roads while taking action through law enforcement to reduce reckless driving instances.
Meanwhile, the rest of the state of Wisconsin has seen a sharp decrease in traffic fatalities. The statistics published by the Wisconsin Policy Forum after studying data from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation revealed some startling truths that the Milwaukee injury legal team – GTW Lawyers says could be used to help prevent these tragedies.
Understanding the Data on Traffic Deaths in Milwaukee County
The data examined over two decades, spanning from 2002 to 2022, showed that fatalities in car crashes increased by 113.5% in Milwaukee County. Deaths in car accidents decreased by 36.1% throughout the rest of Wisconsin in this same timeframe.
Over a three-year average from 2010 to 2012 and 2020 to 2022, traffic deaths increased by 69.9% for this county while the three-year average for all 71 of the other counties combined decreased by 5.7%.
As a predominantly urban county, Milwaukee County was then compared to eight similar counties in other states. This showed that it was ranked just above the middle in traffic deaths for 2022, though Milwaukee County had the highest traffic fatalities for Latino and Black residents.
Factors Impacting These Statistics
Residents of Milwaukee County wonder why the risks for a fatal car accident are higher in their area. This can be attributed to several key factors:
Speeding
Excessive speeding is one of the biggest factors that lead to traffic deaths in this county. The significance of the data reveals that the problem has continued to grow, particularly in recent years.
Pedestrian Crashes
In this highly urban area, many pedestrians and drivers either fail to notice them or don’t take the proper precautions to avoid running into them. Unfortunately, there have been many pedestrian deaths as a result of these accidents.
Reckless Driving Behaviors
Another reason that there are so many more deadly accidents in Milwaukee County is due to reckless driving behaviors. Speeding is certainly one of them, though weaving in and out of traffic, tailgating, and other aggressive behaviors have also been noted for their contribution to these fatal car accident statistics.
Many Areas of Concern
Unfortunately, Milwaukee County has many intersections and areas that have been named as “Corridors of Concern.” These areas are where the most serious injury crashes and fatalities keep occurring.
Safety Initiatives on the Horizon for Milwaukee County
There is a huge problem with fatal crashes in Milwaukee County, and officials are incorporating initiatives to combat the issue to make the roads safer.
Relying on Local Law Enforcement
One way that officials are addressing the issues here is by having law enforcement target reckless drivers to improve safety. By being alert and stopping these drivers before they can cause a catastrophe, it is hoped that traffic deaths will be reduced.
Data-Driven Solutions
Milwaukee County is also using this data to target the most concerning areas to make the roads safer. Officials are creating solutions that specifically look to keep drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians safe from harm.
Encouraging Safe Practices
Additionally, since many of the vehicle occupants who died in these crashes were not wearing seatbelts, measures have been stepped up to encourage seatbelt usage. A Vision Zero strategy has also been implemented to eliminate severe injuries and fatalities in crashes by the year 2037.
How to Avoid Becoming a Milwaukee County Traffic Death Statistic
It’s concerning to see how many people needlessly lose their lives on these roads. However, you can reduce your risks by following these tips:
Prioritize Safety
If you’re guilty of shirking your responsibility of wearing your seatbelt, start buckling up. These restraints reduce your risk for serious injuries or death in a car accident. Additionally, keep your children safe by making sure that younger children are in a child safety seat. This seat needs to be positioned correctly, and if you’re unsure whether you’ve got it right, stop by your local police station to get assistance and peace of mind.
Keep Your Vehicle Maintained
Always maintain your vehicle, particularly the brakes, tires, and other safety systems. If these parts on your car have problems, you can cause a fatal crash.
Obey Traffic Laws
Come to a complete stop at stop signs and obey traffic signals. Use your turn signals when changing lanes and abide by the speed limit.
Pay Attention
Many serious accidents could have been avoided if drivers were paying attention to the road ahead. While you might always refrain from texting while driving, other seemingly benign actions behind the wheel can be a deadly distraction. Eating, changing the music on your stereo, trying to find directions on your GPS, or even talking to your passengers are all enough to take your attention away from the task of driving, which can put you at fault.
Keep a Safe Distance
Always leave enough room in front of your vehicle if the car in front stops short for any reason. Coupled with obeying the speed limit, this will help you prevent an accident.
Adjust Your Driving for the Weather
Icy, snowy, or rainy roads require your full attention and a slower speed. In these conditions, if the posted speed limit is 40 mph, that may be too fast and cause you to lose control.
Stay Sober Behind the Wheel
If you plan on drinking, take a rideshare to and from your destination. Never get behind the wheel when you’re not sober.
To that end, being tired can have the same impact. Ensuring you get enough rest for the road ahead is in your best interests. If you get into a crash in Milwaukee County, talk to a personal injury attorney to understand your legal options.
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