Evers proposes millions to combat reckless driving
MADISON – Gov. Tony Evers is proposing new measures in his upcoming state budget proposal aimed at curbing reckless driving, including millions to overhaul roadways to make it more difficult for drivers to speed or drive erratically and covering driver’s education courses for teenagers living in poverty.
The plan also would pay for 35 additional state troopers and 10 motor carrier inspectors and would allow people living in the country illegally to obtain driver’s licenses, thereby requiring driver’s education courses.
Reckless driving, which has been a significant problem in Milwaukee for several years, has seen an uptick since the pandemic. 2020 represented the deadliest year for traffic fatalities in Milwaukee County in decades, with 107 people killed.
“It has to stop. Reckless driving on our roads is affecting Wisconsinites across our state, whether it’s excessive speeding, running red lights, tailgating, operating under the influence, or other dangerous behavior,” Evers said in a statement.
“Folks should be able to feel safe in their homes, in our neighborhoods, and on our streets, roads, and highways.”
State Rep. Bob Donovan, a Republican from Greenfield who unsuccessfully ran for Milwaukee mayor last year, said he supports expanding driver’s education but does not believe Milwaukee’s reckless driving problem is a result of people living here illegally.
“The problem as I see it with reckless driving is not our roads, is not even the design of our roads, it’s a behavioral problem,” Donovan told reporters Friday. “It’s something that’s being perpetrated by a relatively few who simply don’t seem to care and behave so recklessly so irresponsibly, so criminally and end up really jeopardizing, when you think about it, most especially in these chases and so on, the lives of thousands of people.”
“I’m a believer that until we start punishing these individuals and even juveniles, they need to go to jail for these crimes. Until we start doing that I fear the problems will just continue.”
A spokesman for the Milwaukee Police Department did not immediately respond to Evers’ proposal.
The plan would:
● Provide $60 million over two years for “traffic calming grants” that would pay for traffic circles, pedestrian islands, bump-outs at crosswalks and other changes aimed at slowing vehicle traffic.
● Allow people living in Wisconsin illegally to obtain drivers licenses.
● Spend $6.5 million to cover the costs of comprehensive drivers education courses for teenagers living in poverty.
● Require judges to order the use of an ignition interlock device for all offenses involving driving while intoxicated.
● Increase Wisconsin’s seatbelt violation penalty from $10 to $25.