As more traffic circles, 70 mph speed limit signs, orange construction barrels, and zipper merges have appeared on Wisconsin roadways over the past several months, Wisconsin officials contend that roads are actually safer, but challenges remain.
In May, 50 people died in traffic crashes on Wisconsin roads, according to David Pabst, director of the bureau of transportation safety with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT).
Pabst says May is tied for the sixth safest month of May in terms of traffic deaths since the end of World War II, according to preliminary statistics from WisDOT.
Pabst says while it's too early to tell if increasing the speed on stretches of rural Wisconsin interstate can be linked to more traffic accidents, there may be an unexpected cause for accidents --- drivers traveling too slowly in the left lane.
In many other states, drivers can receive a citation for traveling too slowly in the left lane.
Although Pabst said it's important to always obey the speed limit, he said "people expect faster vehicles in the left lane." He notes that it's "absolutely not safe" to be traveling too slowly in the "fast lane."
Nick Jarmusz, director of public affairs with AAA Wisconsin agreed.
"You should always be following the speed limit ... [but] the left lane is for passing. If you're going slower, keep right," Jarmusz said.
Although Wisconsin drivers can be cited for driving below the minimum speed limit, that doesn't address a motorist traveling 65 mph in the fast lane, on a road that has a posted 70 mph speed limit.
Michigan law enforcement officials say traveling too slowly in the left lane is dangerous because drivers behind them get frustrated and attempt risky maneuvers to get around those who refuse to get out of the left lane, reports WILX. This results in accidents, it's just not clear how many are related.
But one thing is clear, driving under the influence has a significant impact in the number of Wisconsin's traffic fatalities.
Year round, about 32.6 percent of fatal crashes are related to alcohol, Pabst said. Wisconsin remains the only state that doesn't criminalize first-time DUI offenses.
Although speeding and driving under the influence remain a large concern for officials, count driver distraction among another reason for Wisconsin's road fatalities, both Pabst and Jarmusz said.
"Texting while driving is an old term. The new term is smart-phoning," Pabst said.
"You can Facetime, Tweet, Snapchat. Anything you can do on your phone, can happen while you're driving, and it's dangerous," Pabst added.
As for the zipper merges and traffic circles, Pabst said that studies in other states found they are actually safer.
Regarding zipper merges,"if drivers are courteous, using all lanes helps minimize traffic backups and crashes," he said.
As for traffic circles, Pabst says there has been an increase in the number of "fender benders." But, Pabst maintains that traffic circles actually mitigate the number of more serious T-bone crashes.
At the end of May, 217 people have been killed in crashes including 17 pedestrians, four bicyclists, 14 motorcycle operators and one motorcycle passenger. Traffic fatalities as of May 31 were 10 more than the same period last year and 34 more than the five-year average.
It's believed that lower gas prices and milder weather this winter contributed to a spike in accidents in February.
To prevent serious injury and fatal crashes, "we need everyone to slow down, buckle up, eliminate distractions and drive sober. Our goal is zero deaths on Wisconsin roads this summer and throughout the year," Pabst said.
