Some Reckless Drivers are Getting a Reality Check – at the Impound Lot

Four months after going live, a city ordinance that I authored and successfully pushed forward (for two years to completion) allowing for the impoundment of vehicles being operated recklessly by individuals has so far resulted in 100 vehicles being impounded in the City of Milwaukee.

According to Milwaukee Tow Lot officials, under the ordinance (approved by the Common Council in November after a two-year delay that included a necessary change to state law – Wis. Stat. § 349.115 ACT 46) 100 reckless driving tows have been brought in and impounded.

The tow lot officials said the offending vehicles that were impounded during the 121-day span:

· Netted various owed fees totaling $18,025

· Netted the payment of $2,934 in citations

· Resulted in two vehicles being recycled

· Included nearly two dozen unregistered vehicles being registered prior to release

· None were stolen

I am pleased that MPD officers are using this important new tool (MCO 101-24.9) in the fight against reckless driving. And while the early metrics are very encouraging, these numbers don’t mean victory.

We will be closer to claiming victory when we all start to see driving behavior change (and feel safer on the roadway because of it), and that occurs in conjunction with a dramatic drop in impoundment numbers.

This is a good start, I thank MPD for their efforts, and I will continue to closely monitor the reckless tows numbers as I receive them.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.