After two traffic fatalities caused by reckless driving occurred over the weekend, Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) is asking the community to slow down. MCTS President and Managing Director Denise Wandke strongly urges car drivers to take better care of themselves and the community by driving safely.
During the first three full months of 2024, the number of automobiles that have crashed into MCTS buses increased by over 40 percent.
On Thursday evening around midnight and on Saturday at 9:30 p.m., two reckless drivers crashed into MCTS buses, causing unnecessary deaths within the two automobiles and injuring passengers and operators onboard both buses.
Wandke said, “We’re saddened by this loss of life and hope those injured experience a full recovery. This was an avoidable tragedy that could have been worse. Drivers in Milwaukee County must slow down so we can save lives.”
Both bus operators are recovering. MCTS is supporting the operators with the resources they need for their physical and mental well-being. Thursday night’s clean diesel bus had four passengers onboard. Saturday’s Battery Electric Bus had 11 passengers onboard. MCTS doesn’t have information on the condition of the passengers at this time.
In just 48 hours this past weekend, reckless driving cost Milwaukee County over $2 million in bus replacement costs alone.
Thursday’s night crash into a clean diesel bus totaled the bus. The cost to replace this bus would be $650,000.
The bus that was hit on Saturday night could be damaged beyond repair. This was a Battery Electric Bus with approximately 10,000 miles on it. It operated along the CONNECT 1 BRT. The cost to purchase a new Battery Electric Bus is $1.6 million.
“We do not have a surplus of buses available to replace these two buses. This means fewer buses to serve MCTS’s 44 routes,” Wandke noted.
“Reckless driving has reached crisis levels in Milwaukee County. We must invest in proven solutions to make our roads safer,” said Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley. “Enough is enough. We must continue working together to end reckless driving, stop crashes and traffic violence, and save lives.”
Research shows that large communities with red-light cameras have fewer fatal crashes caused by drivers who ignore those traffic signals. County Executive Crowley has called on the Wisconsin State Legislature to pass legislation allowing the City of Milwaukee to install automated traffic enforcement cameras to catch speeders and drivers who blow through red lights.
This, combined with existing traffic calming devices throughout Milwaukee County, greater enforcement of traffic laws, and more compassionate driving, could make streets safer.
“We appreciate Milwaukee County and the City of Milwaukee’s efforts to calm traffic. But in the end, it’s up to drivers to ensure the streets remain safe for everyone,” said Wandke.