Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers recently announced $60 million in state budget initiatives designed to improve the transportation system and combat reckless driving.
The initiatives included in the Evers administration’s 2023-25 budget commit funding to engineering projects that will increase safety, add 45 Wisconsin State Patrol troopers and inspectors, and invest $6.5 million for driver education programs.
Engineering funding will allow communities to invest in road designs to keep pedestrians, bicyclists, and drivers safer that meet specific community needs.
Additional trooper and inspector positions will support the State Patrol’s efforts to stop dangerous drivers.
“We applaud Governor Evers for his leadership to tackle the significant issue of reckless driving. WisDOT is committed to working with our partners across all levels of government, in every corner of the state, to keep people safer on our roads,” Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) Secretary Craig Thompson said. “Together with community members, we can prevent the tragedies that result from reckless driving.”
Annually, approximately 2,900 people are injured in reckless driving crashes in Wisconsin. In 2022, reckless drivers killed 119 people.
Federal Safe Streets and Roads for All grants will provide Wisconsin communities more than $6 million to develop and carry out plans to reduce traffic fatalities and injuries.