This document was created by the Division of State Patrol Bureau of Transportation Safety and Technical Services (BOTSTS). The data is based on three-year (2018 - 2020) trends.
The intention of this document is to assist Traffic Safety Commissions to examine their own transportation safety issues within their respective county and to identify potential countermeasures. While these crash and driver behavior trends are examined at the county level, these trends can be examined at a more local level. BOTSTS can provide this analysis and data to your local municipality.
For requests, email BOTSTS at CrashDataAnalysis@dot.wi.gov.
WisDOT has adopted Zero in Wisconsin, the belief that no one should be killed or seriously injured from using the road network. The aim of Zero in Wisconsin (otherwise known as Safe System, Vision Zero or Sustainable Safety) is for a world free from road fatalities and serious injuries.
The Haddon Matrix (below) models basic principles to be applied to safety analysis. Each cell of the matrix represents a different area in which countermeasures can be implemented to improve traffic safety. Countermeasures applied to the pre-crash phase are designed to reduce the number of crashes. Countermeasures that are applied to the crash phase would not stop the crash, but could reduce the number or severity of injuries that occur as a result. Countermeasures focusing on the post-crash phase optimize the outcome for people with injuries, and prevent secondary events. Learn more about this approach at the Federal Highway Administration and Zero in Wisconsin.
Per year in Milwaukee County, an average of
While | |
47,865 drivers are involved in a crash | |
October has the highest number of crashes | |
9,787 people are injured | |
July has the highest number of injury and fatal crashes | |
81 people are killed | |
Where | 9 out of 10 injured or killed people are Milwaukee County residents |
2 out of 10 fatal and injury crashes occur on a county or state road | 19 out of 20 injured or killed people are Wisconsin residents |
When | |
4pm-5pm is the peak time for injury and fatal crashes |
Heat map of fatal crashes (2018 - 2020)
Explore crash hotspots in your local community in Community Maps. If you work for a public agency, you may request a log-in to gain access to advanced search and analysis capabilities.
On an average year in Milwaukee County, Friday has the highest number of injury and fatal crashes. In addition, over a 24-hour period, injury and fatal crashes occur most frequently between 4pm-5pm peaking at 609 crashes in total throughout the year.
Crash Type | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | Trend |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fatal | 60 | 80 | 61 | 67 | 90 | |
Injury | 7,530 | 7,222 | 7,360 | 7,171 | 6,062 | |
Property Damage | 17,348 | 19,192 | 21,057 | 22,356 | 18,224 | |
Total | 24,938 | 26,494 | 28,478 | 29,594 | 24,376 | - |
Here are trends of fatal, injury, and property damage crashes over the past 5 years.
Crashes on State roads are disproportionately represented in injury and fatal crashes. On roads with higher posted speed limits, there’s a higher risk for a severe injury or fatality if a crash were to occur.
Place of Residence
Place of Work
Total workers that work in Milwaukee County:²
471,816
Of these, 74% also live in Milwaukee County
Place of Residence
Place of Work
Total workers that live in Milwaukee County:²
437,589
Of these, 80% also work in Milwaukee County
Locals are more likely to be involved in a crash in Milwaukee County as opposed to visitors. 88% of occupants injured or killed in a crash in Milwaukee County also live in Milwaukee County.
In Milwaukee County, 711 people are injured or killed in a crash involving a driver believed to be impaired by drugs or alcohol, in an average year. That is 27% of all persons killed in a crash. Statewide, this is 33% of all persons killed.
While 72% of drivers believed to be impaired by drugs or alcohol are male.
Hotspots of alcohol and drug-related crashes with an injury or fatality (2018 - 2020)
In Milwaukee County, a driver being distracted is listed as a contributing factor in 9% of injury and fatal crashes. Statewide, this is 12% of injury and fatal crashes. Distracted driving is based on a two-year (2019-2020) trend due to a change in data fields. Below shows the breakdown of the factors in these distracted driving crashes.
Statewide seatbelt usage has been increasing over the past two decades. This past year experienced a usage rate of 89.2%, which is based on an annual seatbelt survey. Occupants not wearing a seatbelt are more likely to suffer a serious injury or fatality. Of the total statewide occupant fatalities, 1 out of 3 were not wearing a seatbelt. Statewide seatbelt usage rate reached an all time high in 2019.
People in your community can conduct their own seatbelt survey via the ‘Local Seatbelt Survey’ in the app store.
In the last 3 years in Milwaukee County, 535 cyclists and 1705 pedestrians were killed or injured in 1,964 crashes. The below two bar charts shows the contributing factors and where these crashes occurred.
A bike or pedestrian crash is more likely to happen in an urban area, however, a fatal or serious injury crash is more likely to occur in a rural area due to higher speeds and due to further distance from a trauma center.
Locations of injury and fatal bicycle crashes
Locations of injury and fatal pedestrian crashes
In the last 3 years in Milwaukee County, 674 motorcyclists were killed or injured. Of these, 53% were not wearing a helmet.
Locations of injury and fatal motorcycle crashes
The type of helmet and other safety equipment worn, such as protective gear and gloves, can also impact the type of injury sustained.
641 motorcycle drivers were involved in a fatal or injury crash. 96% were Wisconsin drivers. Of these, 43% did not have a valid M endorsement.
In Milwaukee County, teen or older drivers make up 13% of drivers involved in a fatal or injury crash. Statewide, this is 19% of drivers in fatal and injury crashes.
Breaking this down for Milwaukee County:
2,225 teen drivers make up 5% of drivers involved in a crash and make up 3% of licensed drivers and
3,835 older drivers make up 9% of drivers involved a crash and make up 17% of licensed drivers.
Locations of injury and fatal crashes involving a teen driver Locations of injury and fatal crashes involving an older driver
Fewer lane departure crashes occur in Milwaukee County, out of total injury and fatal crashes, compared to the state. That is an average of 1388 fatal and injury lane departure crashes per year. Colliding with a Motor Veh In Transport was the most frequent first harmful event. Breaking this up, 59% are single vehicle only, while statewide 75% are.
A lane departure crash is defined as when the driver crosses the centerline, edge line, or leaves the roadway and then usually colliding with another vehicle or an object, such as a guardrail or a tree. The cause of a lane departure crash could be a mixture of factors – speeding, being impaired by alcohol, or feeling tired.
Below shows the breakdown of the first harmful event in these lane departure crashes.
Speeding includes both exceeding the speed limit and driving too fast for conditions. Speeding has a compounded affect in a crash; decreasing speed can reduce the crash risk, reduce injury severity, and make it possible to control the vehicle if an event were to occur. Of all fatal and injury crashes, 18% involved speed as a contributing factor resulting in 1897 fatalities and injuries in an average year. Statewide, this is 20% of fatal and injury crashes.
Comparing to road type by lane miles, State roads are the most disportionate road type for fatal and injury speed crashes.
Crash Type | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | Trend |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fatal | 24 | 32 | 36 | 35 | 43 | |
Injury | 1,224 | 1,161 | 1,224 | 1,254 | 1,090 | |
Property Damage | 2,462 | 2,414 | 2,506 | 2,521 | 2,104 | |
Total | 3,710 | 3,607 | 3,766 | 3,810 | 3,237 | - |
Here are trends of all speeding-related crashes over the past 5 years.
1 out of 4 of all crashes where speed is a factor involves a young driver.
Hotspots and analysis areas of all crashes involving a speeding driver