Officers advise caution on roads over 4th of July Holiday - WXOW News 19 La Crosse, WI – News, Weather and Sports |

LA CROSSE, Wisconsin (WXOW) - As the holiday approaches and motorists from every corner of the state flock to their favorite destinations, the Wisconsin State Patrol is reminding drivers to use caution on the roads.

Officers say the Fourth of July is the deadliest holiday of the year due to impaired driving crashes.

In 2010, 392 people were killed nationally in motor vehicle crashes during the Fourth of July Holiday.

Traffic fatalities in Wisconsin are up this year by 16 percent.

State troopers advise motorists to drive slowly and to avoid the roads when traffic is heaviest.

"Today (June 29) from noon to eight, July 3rd, July 4th and July 8th are considered the high travel periods," said State Trooper Robert Koenen. "So if you're traveling, it might be a good idea to try to travel at different times."

Koenen also said that officers will be increasing their presence on the highways over the holiday week.

"Last year in the state of Wisconsin, five people were killed in fatalities during the 4th of July holiday period. Our ultimate goal is to reduce that, hopefully to zero," said Koenen.

Officers are also reminding drivers to buckle up.

Seventy-nine percent of Wisconsin drivers wear their seatbelts, below the national average of 86 percent.