Speeding

Speeding and other driver behaviors

Speeding in Wisconsin is...

Deadly

  • Speed-related crashes killed 163 people and injured more than 8,000 in 2014.
  • Deaths from speed-related crashes were approximately 33 percent of all Wisconsin traffic fatalities in 2014.

Prevalent

  • Speeding is by far the most common traffic conviction in Wisconsin.
  • There were more than 142,000 speeding convictions in 2014.
  • There also were approximately 7,500 convictions for driving too fast for conditions or imprudent speed in 2014.

Expensive

  • Speeding tickets generally cost from about $200 to more than $800 depending on the violation.
  • Demerit points also are assessed and your license may be suspended.
  • In addition, insurance premiums often increase because of speeding tickets.

Entirely preventable

  • Reducing your speed greatly improves your ability to maintain control of your vehicle, which prevents rollover crashes.
  • Slowing down also gives you more time and distance to avoid a collision.
  • If you cannot avoid a collision, vehicle speed at impact determines the violence of the crash. The higher your speed, the lower your chances of survival.
  • Speed limits are set for when roads are clear and dry, not when they're snow or ice-covered. It is illegal to drive at speeds that exceed what is "reasonable and prudent" under existing road and traffic conditions.

Other dangerous driving behaviors

More information about speed-related and other crashes, including county totals, is available in the latest Wisconsin traffic crash facts.