Wisconsin Considers New Legislation to Curb Reckless Driving
Efforts to tackle reckless driving in Wisconsin have taken a new turn. State legislators, alongside some victims of such incidents, have introduced a proposal aimed at controlling the behavior of recurrent reckless drivers.
While this initiative gains traction, some argue it diverts attention from Milwaukee’s ongoing efforts to legalize the use of traffic cameras within the city.
The proposed legislation suggests installing speed-limiting devices in the vehicles of repeat offenders. Known as “speed assistance” devices, these gadgets utilize GPS to monitor and enforce speed limits. Learn more about the technology here.
According to State Sen. Chris Larson, D-Milwaukee, these devices are designed to enforce behavioral change in drivers who habitually exceed speed limits. “This will force that person to change their behavior,” Larson remarked.
Statistics from last year reveal over 6,500 speed-related crashes in Wisconsin. Victims like Tina Ortiz, who suffered injuries from a hit-and-run incident in 2018, emphasize the urgency of intervention. “We need to stop this speeding,” Ortiz stated. “It is getting out of hand and we need to take control of it.” She also described the proposal as a “common sense measure to prevent others from suffering like me.”
The bill mandates the installation of these devices in vehicles of drivers with two or more reckless driving offenses within five years, particularly if the offense involved driving 20 mph or more over the speed limit. Larson compared this initiative to the ignition interlock devices used for some drunk driving offenders.
The devices automatically adjust a vehicle’s speed in accordance with posted limits. Offenders are required to have the device installed for one year, bearing the cost, estimated at $1,700 annually. The Legislative Reference Bureau explains, “The (offender) is responsible for the costs of installing, servicing and removing the speed limiter.”
Non-compliance with the installation or removal could result in fines up to $600 and up to six months in jail. State Rep. Russell Goodwin, D-Milwaukee, praised the proposal as “smart, preventative and life-saving.”
Data from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation indicates over 37,000 citations were issued last year for speeding violations of 20 mph or more over the limit.
Milwaukee has long been grappling with reckless driving, with traffic injuries rising by 86% since 2012 and 74 fatalities recorded last year. Mariah Johnson, whose brother was a victim of reckless driving, has been vocal about the issue, though she opposes speed limiter devices due to potential safety concerns in emergencies. “Sometimes, we do have to go over the speed limit because there are situations that we do need to get places very fast,” she argued.
Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson’s office criticized the bill as “reactive,” emphasizing the need for proactive measures like red light and speed cameras. “We want all drivers to be more conscious of their driving behavior, not just those who have multiple reckless driving convictions,” his spokesperson commented.
While some support the introduction of innovative measures to reduce reckless driving, others remain skeptical about their practical application. State Rep. Bob Donovan, R-Greenfield, expressed concerns about the feasibility of enforcing speed limiter devices effectively.
Other regions are also exploring similar solutions. Virginia initiated a speed limiter device program this year, and Washington D.C. launched its own program on October 1, according to reports from the Associated Press and the DC DMV.
