Wisconsin State Patrol Cracks Down on Speeding and Reckless Driving for Holiday Safety

JEFFERSON COUNTY, Wis. — As holiday travel peaks, the Wisconsin State Patrol is intensifying efforts to ensure highway safety by targeting speeding, reckless driving, and impaired driving throughout the week.

During a ride-along with State Patrol Sgt. Nicholas Lorenzen on Tuesday, Nov. 26, CBS 58 got an inside look at their operations. Early into the shift, Sgt. Lorenzen responded to a speeding stop where a driver, with a revoked license and a history of driving under the influence of marijuana, was cited for speeding and driving without a valid license. Her passenger, who had a valid license, was allowed to continue the trip.

“Our goal isn’t always to make arrests,” said Sgt. Lorenzen. “Sometimes, it’s about finding a way to safely get people back on their way while addressing violations.”

Later, Lorenzen clocked a vehicle traveling nearly 90 mph. The driver, an 18-year-old college student, received a warning and a lesson on the dangers of speeding. “Sometimes, education can be more impactful than a ticket,” he noted.

However, not all encounters were as straightforward. A crash involving a lane-change error led to the discovery of a potentially impaired driver. After noticing slurred speech and glassy eyes, troopers transported the driver to a nearby station for further sobriety testing—a procedure designed to prioritize safety in cold conditions.

The need for vigilance is underscored by troubling trends: in 2019, Wisconsin State Patrol recorded approximately 580 incidents of drivers exceeding 100 mph—a number that has tripled in subsequent years.

As Sgt. Lorenzen emphasized, These are exactly the kinds of issues we’re out here for.” The heightened enforcement will continue through the busy Thanksgiving week and into the post-holiday rush, with Black Friday expected to bring even more travelers onto the roads.

Travelers are encouraged to drive safely, stay alert, and respect traffic laws as the State Patrol works to make the holiday season safer for all.

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