Fatal Roads

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2018

Wisconsin · year

Wisconsin in 2018

Deaths 589Fatal crashes 531Per 100,000 10.1US deaths 36,835

FARS data are based on police crash reports and other sources; the drunk-driving measure is based on the highest BAC of any driver in the crash. Final FARS file for 2018.

In 2018, 589 people died in 531 fatal crashes in Wisconsin, 10.1 deaths per 100,000 residents against 11.3 nationally.

The death toll was about level between 2017 (613) and 2018 (589).

Wisconsin accounted for 1.6% of the 36,835 crash deaths recorded nationally that year.

38.2% of the state's fatal crashes that year had at least one driver reported as drinking.

By FHWA road function class, the largest share was on other principal arterial roads (31%).

36% of the crashes happened between noon to 6pm; Saturday was the most common day.

Compared with 2017 and the nation

MeasureWisconsin 2018Wisconsin 2017United States 2018
Deaths58961336,835
Fatal crashes53155733,919
Deaths per 100,000 residents10.110.611.3
Crashes with a drinking driver38%36%26%

Counties in 2018

Every county with a fatal crash in 2018, by deaths. Counts under three are shown as "1–2" (small-count rule); the per-100,000 column is blank for them. 68 counties listed.

CountyFatal crashesDeathsPer 100,000Deaths 2015–2024
Milwaukee County61687.4861
Dane County34417.0352
Rock County283118.7210
Waukesha County24256.0207
Racine County182010.1171
Brown County16186.6154
Kenosha County15169.5149
Fond du Lac County141615.3119
Chippewa County101420.875
Jefferson County121315.196
Winnebago County11137.5108
Outagamie County12126.1131
Sauk County111218.0107
Marinette County111126.065
Columbia County81118.9114
Juneau County81141.465
Dunn County101021.766
Marathon County10107.2119
Washington County10107.299
Polk County81021.898
La Crosse County897.468
Sheboygan County697.699
Oneida County8821.056
Dodge County789.0127
Portage County7811.156
St. Croix County788.297
Manitowoc County689.891
Door County7722.937
Monroe County7715.170
Oconto County7717.590
Barron County6715.073
Walworth County676.6140
Burnett County6634.946
Clark County6617.274
Waupaca County6611.775
Jackson County5628.545
Buffalo County5537.129
Eau Claire County554.666
Waushara County5519.953
Wood County556.894
Grant County459.673
Ozaukee County455.354
Taylor County3524.829
Bayfield County4423.836
Shawano County449.774
Vernon County4412.840
Adams County3314.149
Calumet County335.639
Crawford County3318.730
Douglas County336.855
Green County338.149
Iowa County3312.540
Iron County3348.122
Lafayette County3317.328
Vilas County3312.538
Florence County1–2364.216
Forest County1–21–2—17
Langlade County1–21–2—26
Lincoln County1–21–2—59
Marquette County1–21–2—28
Pepin County1–21–2—12
Pierce County1–21–2—48
Price County1–21–2—26
Richland County1–21–2—25
Rusk County1–21–2—34
Sawyer County1–21–2—40
Trempealeau County1–21–2—32
Ashland County1–21–2—22

Per 100,000 uses the 2024 population estimate for every year, so early-year rates are understated where a county has grown.

Hour of day

12am1.9%
1am3.2%
2am5.1%
3am3.6%
4am2.3%
5am2.8%
6am2.6%
7am2.6%
8am2.5%
9am2.8%
10am3.6%
11am3.8%
12pm6.4%
1pm5.5%
2pm5.5%
3pm6.6%
4pm5.3%
5pm6.4%
6pm5.7%
7pm5.3%
8pm5.1%
9pm4.9%
10pm3.2%
11pm3.2%

Weekday

Sunday16%
Monday13%
Tuesday12%
Wednesday12%
Thursday11%
Friday16%
Saturday19%

Road type

Other principal arterial31%
Minor arterial22%
Major collector16%
Local14%
Interstate9%
Minor collector6%
Other freeways and expressways2%

Questions and answers

How many people died in crashes in Wisconsin in 2018?

589 people in 531 fatal crashes, according to NHTSA's FARS 2018 file, or 10.1 per 100,000 residents.

Which county in Wisconsin had the most crash deaths in 2018?

Milwaukee County with 68 deaths in 61 fatal crashes. The table on this page lists every county with a fatal crash that year.

How did 2018 compare with 2017 in Wisconsin?

589 deaths against 613 in 2017 (+-4%). Nationally the 2018 total was 36,835.

Provenance

Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2018 national file (accident table, vehicle and person tables); US Census Bureau population estimates. Data through 31 Dec 2024; generated 30 Sep 2026.