(WTAQ-WLUK) — Wisconsinites hitting the road Wednesday will want to pay close attention to their speed.
Around 100 law enforcement agencies around the Midwest, including the Wisconsin State Patrol, are conducting special enforcement for Speed Awareness Day.
It’s a 24-hour high-visibility campaign involving state, county and local enforcement agencies. Officials say the goal of Speed Awareness Day is to save lives by educating drivers on the dangers of speeding.
WSP will have all available officers statewide working “to stop drivers who are endangering safety on the roads” by increasing the likelihood of traffic crashes by speeding.
In 2023, someone in Wisconsin was injured or killed in a speed-related crash every 1.3 hours. There were 16,401 speed-related crashes that resulted in 176 fatalities and more than 6,500 people were injured.
WSP says the number of 100+ mph citations issued rose sharply during the COVID pandemic, from from 583 citations in 2019 to 1,403 citations in 2020.
Those numbers have continued to climb over the past four years, with 1,266 citations issued in 2023.
Officials remind motorists that speeding is more than just breaking the law. Consequences include:
- Greater potential for loss of vehicle control
- Reduced seat belt effectiveness
- Increased stopping distance
- Increased risk of severe injuries
- Increased fuel consumption
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