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Police report rise in pedestrian and bicycle crashes; deployments planned at crosswalks
Summary
Police told the Public Safety Committee that six crashes this year resulted in fatalities and that crashes involving pedestrians and bicyclists are up about 21%; the department plans targeted deployments at crosswalks, increased enforcement and community notifications.
Officials from the Village of Cross Plains police department told the Public Safety Committee on June 17 that traffic crashes — including those involving pedestrians and bicyclists — have increased and that the department will step up enforcement and targeted deployments.
An unnamed police representative said there have been six crashes so far this year that resulted in fatalities and that crashes involving pedestrians and bicyclists have risen roughly 21% compared with earlier reporting. The officer said the department uses a mobile radar trailer to collect speed data and that the data show drivers exceeding posted limits on local roads; the department has issued more tickets and received increased public complaints about speeding.
“People do normally use, you know, that yellow flashing beacon, and and they do help, but some people don't use them,” the police representative said while describing traffic-safety tools the village uses. The department also mentioned a “red flag” program for pedestrian crossings; officials said usage varies by driver and pedestrian compliance.
The police representative said the department will deploy staff to crosswalks in coming weeks and will announce those deployments to the community and the village board so residents understand why officers are emphasizing pedestrian and bicycle enforcement. The department emphasized the deployments are intended to reduce crashes on roads that intersect highways and reported a rise in incidents involving vulnerable road users.
No formal ordinance or budget change was proposed at the meeting; committee members were informed of the department’s planned operational deployments and community outreach. The committee packet included a traffic commission report and the police representative said the village’s Traffic Safety Commission compiles crash and speed data quarterly to identify enforcement priorities.
Officials said the department will continue community engagement events — such as pop-up family outreach and planned scenario training — while increasing traffic enforcement in targeted locations.
