(WTAQ-WLUK) — Wisconsinites will want to pay close attention to their speed Wednesday.
Law enforcement agencies across Wisconsin and 11 states across the Midwest will step up patrols for Speed Enforcement Day.
The 24-hour campaign is to educate the community on the dangers of speeding and save lives.
Officials say traffic crashes are more harmful when they involve high speeds. In 2022, 162 people were killed and more than 6,500 were hurt in speed-related crashes.
Speeding is a continued challenge across the nation and in Wisconsin. The number of 100+ mph citations issued by Wisconsin State Patrol rose sharply during the pandemic, from 583 citations in 2019 to 1,403 citations in 2020. State Patrol officers issued 1,159 100+ mph citations in 2022.
The consequences of speeding include:
- Greater potential for loss of vehicle control
- Reduced seat belt effectiveness
- Increased stopping distance
- Increased risk of severe injuries
- Increased fuel consumption
