WisDOT expands ‘Control Your Drive’ campaign to prevent consequences of reckless driving

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) takes its reckless driving prevention campaign statewide to reduce crash injuries and deaths in Wisconsin. WisDOT is rolling out a second video in the ‘Control Your Drive campaign series featuring Milwaukee Bucks star Bobby Portis.

The educational campaign is part of WisDOT’s comprehensive initiative to improve safety on Wisconsin roads by encouraging drivers to become part of the solution.

“Reaching zero deaths on our roads needs to become an urgent priority, not just for transportation leaders, but for everyone in Wisconsin. We all have a shared responsibility to step up and do something to prevent the tragedies that are destroying families across our state,” WisDOT Secretary Craig Thompson said. “We all deserve to feel safe on the roads we use every day. Slow down, drive safely, and encourage everyone to do the same.”

Reckless driving is still a significant factor in Wisconsin. Preliminary data shows reckless driving contributed to more than a quarter of all crash fatalities, 140 deaths, in 2023. Reckless or aggressive driving may include behaviors like speeding, improper lane changes, and inattentive, erratic, or negligent driving.

The Wisconsin State Patrol continues to stop drivers who are dangerously disregarding speed limits, issuing 1,266 citations for drivers traveling more than 100 mph in 2023. These numbers have remained high since doubling in 2020.

Community involvement to prevent crashes

WisDOT uses a combination of strategies to prevent crashes in Wisconsin, including community education and awareness campaigns.

‘Control Your Drive’ launched in 2022 as part of the Zero in Wisconsin campaign, which aims to end all traffic fatalities in the state through a variety of messages. ‘Control Your Drive’ encourages everyone to rethink their duty to prevent reckless driving. Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis is featured in the video series. The advertisement is currently airing in broadcast programming and online.

“I have a platform that I can use to help inspire, help save lives, and to help just do good in the community,” Portis said. “Help motivate drivers to not only drive safe for themselves, but for the others on the road as well.”

The Milwaukee Bucks is also a partner in the campaign, sharing messaging during games at Fiserv Forum and on social media.

Commitment to action

WisDOT’s Bureau of Transportation Safety committed to increase engagement with awareness campaigns that address leading causes of crashes in Wisconsin when the agency joined the USDOT’s Allies in Action campaign. WisDOT committed to take specific actions to reduce traffic fatalities and injuries in 2024.

The bureau will also work to support continued community engagement through Traffic Safety Commissions and will expand grant opportunities for law enforcement and other partners to develop safety programs in their communities.

These public education efforts are one component of the Safe System approach to highway safety, which aims to design and operate Wisconsin’s transportation system so driver mistakes do not become deadly.

Drivers are encouraged to do their part with simple steps: slow down, buckle up, and put the phone down while driving.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.