Saving lives and creating safer streets should be an easy decision

Today (Tuesday, October 7), a public hearing on the proposed bipartisan Safe Streets Save Lives Act, Senate Bill 375, took place at the Summerfest administrative building. The proposal, led by Senator Dora Drake and cosponsored by Senate Transportation Committee Chairman Senator Cory Tomczyk would allow law enforcement agencies in a first class city (presently only Milwaukee) to use a speed safety camera system to identify speed limit violations, and a traffic control photographic system to identify certain traffic signal violations. If passed, up to five cameras could be placed in each of the city’s 15 aldermanic districts.

Alderman Peter Burgelis, a supporter of the legislation, testified at the public hearing to advocate for its adoption. “This isn’t about tickets, it’s about tomorrow,” said Alderman Burgelis. “Safe streets are the foundation of a city that works, and Milwaukee is ready to lead the way. This program doesn’t chase revenue; it is about changing behavior. Every driver who slows down and every crash we prevent is a neighborhood victory in this city.”

Alderman Mark Chambers, Jr. also provided testimony to support this effort. “This bill is aimed at the worst traffic offenders, those who can do so much damage in such little time,” he said. “This bill is also about equity. African-Americans have double the fatal crash rates of their white counterparts. People simply walking in lower-income neighborhoods are three times more likely to be killed by a vehicle, and that standard should never be acceptable.”

The U.S. Department of Transportation reports that fixed speed cameras reduce all crashes by 54 percent and injury crashes by nearly half on urban roads. Twenty-nine states and Washington, D.C. already use speed safety cameras.

“Other cities have the data, and the results are consistent: fewer crashes, fewer injuries, and fewer funerals. It’s time Wisconsin caught up,” added Alderman Burgelis. “We have the data. We have the public demand. All we need now is the legislative permission to act. I would encourage the Legislature to pass this proposal that would undoubtedly save lives and create safer streets.”

Go to www.wiseye.org to view the footage of today’s hearing.

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.