Traffic Fatalities Decline in Wyoming

The Wyoming Highway Patrol says fewer people died in traffic accidents across the state last year than in 2012.

The Powell Tribune reports 87 people were killed in the state in 2013, 34 fewer than the year before and the lowest number since 1945.

Patrol officials suggest several reasons for the decrease in traffic deaths, including the patrol’s education and awareness efforts, high-visibility traffic enforcement by local and state police during major holidays and highway safety initiatives by several groups.

Patrol Sgt. Steven Townsend also notes that the number of crashes involving people who weren’t wearing seat belts dropped 23.8 percent in 2013 over the previous year.

The statistics reflect all fatal crashes investigated by city, county, state and federal law enforcement agencies on public roadways.