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Speeding and other driver behaviors

Speeding in Wisconsin is

Deadly

• Speed-related crashes killed 187 people and injured more than 11,000 in 2008.
• Deaths from speed-related crashes were approximately 32 percent of all Wisconsin traffic fatalities in 2008.

Prevalent

• Speeding is by far the most common traffic conviction in Wisconsin.
• There were nearly 200,000 speeding convictions in 2008.
• There also were another 8,333 convictions for driving too fast for conditions or imprudent speed in 2008.

Expensive

• Speeding tickets generally cost from about $200 to more than $800 depending on the violation.
• Demerit points also are assessed and your license may be suspended.
• In addition, insurance premiums often increase because of speeding tickets.

Entirely preventable

• Reducing your speed greatly improves your ability to maintain control of your vehicle, which prevents rollover crashes.
• Slowing down also gives you more time and distance to avoid a collision.
• If you cannot avoid a collision, vehicle speed at impact determines the violence of the crash. The higher your speed, the lower your chances of survival.
• Speed limits are set for when roads are clear and dry, not when they're snow or ice-covered. It is illegal to drive at speeds that exceed what is "reasonable and prudent" under existing road and traffic conditions.

Other dangerous driving behaviors

The following driving behaviors frequently contributed to the more than 125,000 fatal, injury and property damage crashes in Wisconsin in 2008.

• Aggressive driving
• Tailgating
• Weaving through heavy traffic
• Distracted and inattentive driving
• Drowsy driving
• Red light running
• Failure to yield right of way

More information about speed-related and other crashes, including county totals, is available in the 2007 Wisconsin Traffic Crash Facts.

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Questions about the content of this page:
Tom Knoop, thomas.knoop@dot.state.wi.us
Last modified: September 30, 2009