1-17-14 traffic fatalities

APPLETON, Wis. (AP) — Traffic deaths in Wisconsin fell 12 percent last year, a figure that state transportation officials credit in part to effective safety and awareness programs. There were 530 road fatalities last year. That's down from 601 road deaths the previous year. The state Department of Transportation says there were fewer passenger deaths. There was also a drop in the number of motorcycle fatalities, which could be a result of bad weather that kept motorcycle riders off the roads. DOT spokesman David Pabst says drivers appear to be responding to safety campaigns that preach against drunken driving and distracted driving.  Winnebago County Sheriff's Capt. Todd Christie says teenagers especially seem to be taking safety more seriously. He says their generation has been raised to use seatbelts.