June 3, 2026
Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley Signs New Legislation Authorizing Reckless Driving Vehicles to be Impounded
MILWAUKEE - Today, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley signed a resolution authorizing the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office to impound vehicles for reckless driving offenses. This is the latest effort toward Milwaukee County’s Vision Zero goal of eliminating traffic deaths and serious crash injuries by the year 2037 and fostering safer streets for all who use them.
“If we want a safer, healthier future for Milwaukee County, we must be serious about combatting reckless driving,” said County Executive Crowley. “The resolution I approved today strengthens that effort by aligning County laws with those of our state and local partners. Together, we can tackle this issue to ensure our streets, roadways, and neighborhoods are safe for everyone – because lives depend on it.”
Under the newly adopted ordinance, the Milwaukee County Sherif’s Office may impound a vehicle when issuing a citation or making an arrest for reckless driving. Consumer protections are included for owners of stolen vehicles. The ordinance aligns with the recent enactment of Wisconsin Act 46 in 2025, which empowered local governments to adopt impoundment ordinances related to reckless driving.
“This ordinance is a major victory for public safety in Milwaukee County, and it provides our deputy sheriffs with a critical new tool to help protect drivers and vehicle passengers on our freeways and streets,” said Milwaukee County Sheriff Denita Ball. “Every day, our deputies witness the grim reality of reckless driving by drivers who show a complete disregard for human life. We fought hard for this policy because deterrents work. And tangible consequences may compel some drivers to curb dangerous driving behaviors and rethink their choices. I applaud the County Board and County Executive for standing with us to make Milwaukee County safer for everyone.”
This action builds upon the County’s broader Vision Zero strategy, which emphasizes engineering, enforcement, education, and data driven decision-making to reduce severe crashes and improve safety across all 19 municipalities.
“This collaboration demonstrates that there are severe consequences for endangering public safety while highlighting a shared commitment to support enforcement actions that complement and enhance transportation planning and engineering efforts,” said Milwaukee County Department of Transportation Director Joe Lamers.
About Vision Zero in Milwaukee County
In early 2026, Milwaukee County completed the third phase of the Complete Communities Transportation Planning Project, moving its Vision Zero efforts into a new era. Through the Project, Milwaukee County and its municipalities secured more than $32 million in grant funding for traffic safety initiatives.
Milwaukee County is now beginning preparations for 65 infrastructure projects aimed at reducing speeding and crashes along ten Corridors of Concern. Preliminary designs for these projects are anticipated to begin in 2027, with all projects to be completed by 2031. They are funded through the 2025 Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) federal grant award announced in January.
The grant will also fund two planning studies, including a Road to Vision Zero study, which will track Milwaukee County’s progress toward eliminating fatal and serious injury crashes. This study is expected to begin in 2028.
More information about Milwaukee County’s efforts to combat reckless driving is available HERE.