Milwaukee shares update on efforts to reduce reckless driving

MILWAUKEE — The Metropolis of Milwaukee shared the outcomes Friday of its up to date towing coverage to discourage reckless driving.

That coverage, enacted in Could, permits Milwaukee law enforcement officials to tow unregistered autos and different vehicles cited for reckless driving, extreme velocity, fleeing from officers and drag racing.

Since Could, the police division stated they’ve towed 100 autos and made six arrests.

“Deadly crashes are down 8%, hit and runs are down 18% and all crashes are down 14%. I wish to imagine that’s due to all of the completely different ways in which we’re addressing reckless driving, there was an impression on account of that collaborative work,” stated Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffery Norman.

Mayor Cavalier Johnson stated he believes that since solely 10% of the offenders are repeat offenders, motorists are getting the message.

“I believe the phrase is on the market that when you drive recklessly in Milwaukee, you run the chance of getting your car towed, and if you don’t come to the tow lot and current correct credentials, when you don’t get your car registered or have correct insurance coverage, your car stays right here for thus lengthy, then guess what? Your car might be disposed of,” stated Johnson.

And it’s not simply public officers which can be combatting reckless driving. Residents are additionally getting concerned.

(Spectrum Information 1/Phillip Boudreaux)

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A couple of months in the past, Jordan Morales needed to gradual the visitors in his Sherman Park neighborhood.

He and some others took indicators that have been part of a Division of Public Works challenge to create a makeshift visitors circle at one of many intersections.

“Automobiles actually responded effectively to it. I imply, they slowed down on that intersection for the time that makeshift visitors circle was up,” stated Morales.

Whereas the town ultimately eliminated the indicators, Morales bought his neighbors to signal a petition to deliver extra traffic-calming infrastructure to the neighborhood.

The town responded by putting in a velocity bump, and they’re engaged on a visitors circle, amongst different tasks.

“It forces vehicles to decelerate the place they decelerate, whether or not they prefer to or not. So we’re actually joyful that it’s getting put in and I do know that it’ll make the entire neighborhood secure so far as reckless driving,” stated Morales.

(Courtesy of Jordan Morales)

Morales stated he believes that placing in the appropriate infrastructure will make the largest impression on decreasing reckless driving.

“It’s much less doubtless you’re getting hit in your bicycle, or it’s much less doubtless that you’re getting hit as a pedestrian. Any such infrastructure is what must be scaled city-wide and would save some huge cash on regulation enforcement as effectively,” stated Morales.

For Morales, crucial factor is to make the neighborhood secure for the youngsters and households transferring in.