HURLEY -- Iron County employees deserve an A-plus for safety on the highways, according to John Wiita of Ironwood, a member of the underwriting committee for Wisconsin Counties Mutual Insurance Corp. of Madison.

Wisconsin Mutual is the liability insurance carrier for 44 of the 72 counties in Wisconsin.

Wiita said Iron County learned it had one of the best overall loss ratios in the state for 2007. Only two counties ranked higher, Bayfield and Green.

All employees should be credited "for having one of the best loss ratios in the state," Wiita said.

"Iron County has one of the best sheriff's department loss ratios. It hasn't had a lot of accidents, with just a few claims because the deputies are driving properly."

Iron County also had the best highway department loss ratio, he added.

"I give them credit for doing an excellent job of plowing and for safety," he said. "I commend the sheriff's department for safety on the road."