Evers Signs Reckless Driving Bill, First Of His Second Term

By Isiah Holmes, Wisconsin Examiner

April 4, 2023

On Monday, Gov. Tony Evers signed the first bill of his second term, a Senate bill dealing with reckless driving. Senate Bill 92, which is now known as 2023 Wisconsin Act 1, allows local municipalities to pass ordinances to impound vehicles of people who fail to pay a fine after being cited for reckless driving and who have at least one previous conviction for reckless driving. If the impounded vehicle sits unclaimed for 90 days, then the municipality would be allowed to dispose of the vehicle.

The reckless driving towing penalty that the new law authorizes is similar in effect to a policy on towing vehicles linked with reckless driving that the Milwaukee Police Department (MPD) adopted last year.

Today, traffic citations have fallen to a five-year low in the city. A recent TMJ4 report also found that the department has issued warnings for at a rate of 37.1% of the citations it issued in the first two months of 2023.

“Everyone deserves to feel safe in our communities and on our roads and streets, whether they’re taking their kids to school or driving home from work, but reckless driving and other dangerous behaviors are putting folks at risk across our state,” said Evers in a statement that he also used to promote items in his proposed 2023-25 state budget.

“I’m glad reckless driving is the first issue we’re addressing this session, but our work cannot stop here,” Evers stated. “I call on the Legislature to support my budget initiatives that will build on this bill and make our roads safer by taking a statewide, multi-pronged approach to urgently addressing reckless driving and dangerous behavior on our roads.”

Evers’ budget proposes adding 35 additional state troopers, and 10 full-time motor carrier inspectors. The budget would provide $60 million to establish a traffic-calming grant program. Another $16,000 is proposed to provide electric vehicle license plate stickers to help first responders know when an EV is involved. Implementing a Drivers Licenses for All program, regardless of a person’s documented citizenship status, is also in the budget, a policy that advocates for undocumented immigrants have fought for in Wisconsin.

The budget also has a “complete streets” proposal to support local communities that design streets configured to accommodate pedestrians and bicyclists in addition to motor vehicles. Other provisions include $6.5 million to support driver education in economically strained communities, requiring promoting ignition interlock devices be installed in the vehicles of all drunk-driving offenders, and increasing Wisconsin’s seat belt penalty from $10 to $25.

Reckless driving has attracted bipartisan attention among lawmakers. Rep. Bob Donovan (R-Greenfield), a former Milwaukee alder and unsuccessful Milwaukee mayoral hopeful, introduced the bill that Evers signed Monday. Donovan also introduced in March a bill that essentially doubles existing penalties for reckless driving.

Democratic senators and Assembly representatives have also promoted the use of automatic speed enforcement and photographic systems and other measures to curb reckless driving.

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