Marquette County safety committee does not back ATV/UTV speed increase after motion fails

The Marquette County Traffic Safety Committee did not forward a proposed increase to county ATV/UTV speed limits from 35 mph to 45 mph after a motion to send a letter of support to the Highway Committee failed at its April 1 meeting in Montello.

Members of the Marquette County ATV/UTV Club told the committee they want the speed limit raised from 35 mph to 45 mph, saying newer machines are better equipped to handle the higher speed and noting that 20 of 22 counties that have raised limits pursued similar changes. The club also cited that neighboring counties Sauk, Dodge and Adams currently allow 45 mph for ATV/UTV on county roads.

Committee member Mike Raddatz moved that the Traffic Safety Committee send a letter of support to the Highway Committee for raising the limit; Ron Barger initially seconded but withdrew his second during discussion, and no other member seconded the motion, so it failed. The committee did not vote in favor of sending the letter. Committee members advised the ATV/UTV Club representatives to place the item on the Highway Committee agenda for further consideration.

The club raised safety arguments and conflicting evidence points: the minutes record the club’s assertion that newer machines can safely handle higher speeds, while the committee noted that speed and alcohol remain leading causes of ATV/UTV crashes. The committee did not provide local crash data specific to ATV/UTV travel at the meeting and did not make a recommendation beyond advising the club to pursue the Highway Committee process.

Next steps: club representatives were told to request placement on the Highway Committee agenda, where any formal change in county speed limits would begin. The Traffic Safety Committee did not set a follow-up action or collect additional data at the April 1 meeting.