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Crash trends show mixed signals; local enforcement and outreach continue
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Summary
DOT liaison reported statewide fatality declines versus multi-year averages, while Dunn County and regional agencies reported an uptick in county crashes this quarter (70 crashes, 13 injuries) but no recent fatalities; agencies highlighted OWI task-force activity, railroad training and posted-road enforcement.
The committee heard a series of crash and enforcement reports that showed differing trends at the state and local levels.
The DOT law enforcement liaison presented statewide numbers noting 545 recorded fatalities in 2025 (later updated to 544) compared with a five-year average cited on slides; the liaison said that overall the state is "trending in the right direction" on fatalities but that some crash types—aggressive driving—showed increases while impaired-driving and teen-driving crashes declined.
Locally, the highway safety coordinator reported 70 total crashes in the most recent quarter handled by the sheriff's office (18 multi-vehicle, 52 single-vehicle), 11 injury crashes resulting in 13 injured people, three alcohol-related crashes and no fatalities. The coordinator noted Dunn County agencies are participating in an OWI task-force grant and that deployments have produced OWI arrests.
The Wisconsin State Patrol fill-in reported 53 crashes in the region since the last meeting (15 with injury) and emphasized enforcement of posted-road restrictions, reminder that a permit is required to exceed posted limits, and a pending legislative change to an oversized/overweight permit (proposed 91,000 pounds on six axles for particular agricultural deliveries).
Agencies also described local outreach and training: railroad-safety training hosted locally for law enforcement; a voluntary 'place of last drink' form for officers to help identify problem establishments; and offers for agencies to pilot the form and join advisory committees. Officers and county staff encouraged use of community maps and shared data portals to review crash locations and trends.
