WAUSAU, Wis. (WSAW) – Both the number of deadly crashes and the number of deaths in those crashes have declined in Wisconsin so far this year compared to previous years, according to recent data released by authorities.

From 2019 to 2023, the average number of deadly crashes compared to the same period this year has decreased by approximately 20 percent. As of last week, there have been 87 deadly car crashes on Wisconsin roads, resulting in the loss of 106 lives.

However, these figures mark a drop from previous years. Between 2019 and 2023, Wisconsin’s average number of deadly crashes between April 14 and New Year’s was about 109, indicating a 20.33 percent decrease this year. Additionally, there has been a 24.35 percent drop from last year to this year.

There’s no one certain explanation for the drop, but there are theories.

“One factor that plays into it with the winter months is the lack of winter that we’ve had and the decrease in snow,” Officer Matthew Grover with the Wausau Police Department said.

Other factors could include police initiatives.

“Over the past few months, there have been several state grants for OWI details, which are primarily focused on impaired driving and can be a high cause of deaths,” Grover said. “Those increased enforcements help to remove some of those drivers from the roads.”

However, authorities emphasize that individual behavior also plays a significant role.

“Wearing your safety belts can make a big difference between a crash being just an injury crash or being a fatal crash,” Grover added.

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