Other than some other Midwestern states, the rest of the country saw traffic deaths decline. By Brady Carlson - Dec 24th, 2020 01:43 pm //end headline wrapper ?> Get a daily rundown of the top stories on Urban Milwaukee Members of the Milwaukee Fire Department respond to a multi-vehicle crash on N. Sherman Blvd. File photo by Jeramey Jannene. The number of traffic-related deaths in Wisconsin this year has surpassed the totals for each of the last two years. Figures from the state Department of Transportation show 573 fatalities as of Dec. 20. A study by the Wisconsin Policy Forum found that overall numbers of crashes fell in the early months of the pandemic, when there were fewer cars on the road.