Traffic fatalities in the state fell nearly 21 percent in 2008, but Kenosha County recorded its highest number of roadway deaths in seven years.

The county’s last traffic death, of Shane Parker on Dec. 20, was the county’s 28th traffic fatality of 2008, the highest total since 30 people died on Kenosha County roads in 2001. A pedestrian, Parker, 31, died of head injuries after he left a tavern and was hit by a car on 52nd Street.

The county’s death toll, which mounted in 26 separate crashes, also is far ahead of the 21 traffic deaths last year and the county’s five-year average of 24.

Kenosha County finished the year ranked third in the state for traffic deaths behind Dane and Milwaukee counties. With 37 and 48 traffic deaths, respectively, those counties are well below their totals for 2007, however. Waukesha County was just behind Kenosha County with 27 traffic deaths.

Neighboring counties, Racine and Walworth tallied 20 and four fatalities, respectively. Racine County recorded 17 traffic deaths last year, while Walworth had 13.

Overall, the state had logged 587 traffic fatalities as of Tuesday, the last day 2008 totals were released, down from 735 deaths on the same date last year. The state finished 2007 with 737 traffic deaths. Throughout the state, this year’s deaths occurred in 542 crashes, compared to 653 a year ago.

Wisconsin has averaged 774 traffic deaths per year over the last five years.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation has attributed the downturn in traffic deaths to the national recession and higher gasoline prices, which caused people to drive slower and travel less.

Local law enforcement officials, meanwhile, expressed concern that Kenosha County’s traffic deaths remained high and that alcohol and speed continue to play major roles.

Officials also reiterated the notion that all of the deaths could have been prevented.

“They are traffic violations that can be avoided, they can slow down,” Kenosha Police Chief John Morrissey said. “It seems like it’s always the innocent person that dies. Every one of these could have been avoided.”

According to the traffic death reports, investigators cited speed as a major factor in at least 10 of the crashes, while a driver’s error —such as inattentive driving or failure to stop at a stop sign — appeared to be a leading cause in at least nine of the crashes. Alcohol appeared to be a factor in four of the crashes.

Thirteen of the people killed, including five passengers, appeared to have died from factors outside of their control.

A Kenosha News review of the traffic death reports also showed weekends were especially deadly as seven deaths occurred on Saturdays and seven on Sundays. Five people also died on Thursdays and and five on Fridays.

The deadliest time of day appeared to be during the nighttime hours after 6 p.m. and before midnight; 12 people died from crashes during that time. Another seven were killed from crashes during afternoon hours.

Broken down into age ranges, traffic crashes killed nine people between the ages of 16 and 24, while claiming five people in their 30s. Also, more males (15) died in traffic crashes this year than females (13).

The law enforcement reports showed 13 people killed were not wearing seat belts or helmets.

Eight people who died on county roads this year were driving motorcycles, up from six last year.

Five of those victims were not wearing helmets, according to reports.

The only bicycle death in Kenosha County occurred Aug. 16, when Gordon M. Kleifield, 45, of Chicago, was killed while he and another bicyclist were riding in the 29000 block of Wilmot Road (Highway C). Reports said the cyclists were hit by a vehicle that left the scene.

On Sept. 12, authorities arrested Barbara Lee, 41, of Spring Grove, Ill., whom they believe was driving the vehicle that hit the men. Lee pleaded guilty to charges for hit-and-run causing death. She will be sentenced later this month.

In the city of Kenosha, police responded to eight traffic fatalities this year, compared to four in all of 2007. The Kenosha Sheriff’s Department was called to 16 traffic deaths this year, compared to 11 last year. Pleasant Prairie Police responded to four traffic deaths, compared to three last year.