In 2011 a county near Oshkosh, Wisconsin, saw seven fatal accidents. This number was slightly higher than the number in 2006, but was lower than the five-year average of 10 accidents. The 20-year average was 12 fatal accidents per year in the county, almost double the amount that happened last year.

Despite a small number of fatal accidents, there is one alarming statistic. Almost half of them -- three of the seven -- were drunk driving accidents. In 2010, only one of the fatal accidents involved alcohol.

One of the three accidents involved a 19-year-old female driver, who struck and killed a pedestrian outside of the Brat Days festival. Since the accident, the teenage driver has been charged with hit and run involving death, homicide by intoxicated use of a motor vehicle and several other felonies.

Another drunk driving accident happened when a 60-year-old man from Adell, Wisconsin, crossed the center line of a road he was traveling on. His vehicle crashed into another, killing the other driver. He has also been charged with homicide by intoxicated use of a motor vehicle. Both homicide charges are still pending.

The third fatal accident involving alcohol killed a Random Lake, Wisconsin, motorcyclist. The driver of the motorcycle collided with another vehicle after crossing into oncoming traffic.

A county sheriff's department spokesman said that all three deaths could have likely been prevented if the drunken drivers had taken a cab or used a designated driver.

But one promising statistic is that, according to the state Department of Transportation, statewide traffic fatalities have been below 600 for four consecutive years. The last time this occurred was in the 1920s. But that doesn't mean that all drivers shouldn't make 2012 the year they resolve to stop drinking and driving for good.

Source: Sheboygan Press, "7 fatal crashes on Sheboygan County roads in 2011," Eric Litke, Jan. 6, 2012