Traffic

Taylor County Traffic Safety Committee December 2, 2025 3rd Floor County Board Room, Taylor County Courthouse Call Meeting to Order: Chris Kauer called the meeting to order at 10:35 a.m. Members Present: Todd Rasmussen-BOTS, Anna Iverson-WISDOT, Chris Kauer-TASO, Chad Liske-MPO Others Present: Brian Wilson – Star News Motion b y Liske/Rasmussen and carried to approve the minutes of the September 2, 2025 meeting of the Taylor County Traffic Safety Committee. Motion by Liske/Rasmussen and carried to approve the agenda with 8 items. Chris Kauer, Taylor County Sheriff’s Office, from September to present, r eporting a total of 126 traffic accidents. 3 traffic fatalities, 5 with suspected serious injuries. 74 were deer related, 2 were bear related, 1 was horse and buggy related, 1 was train related. 18 involved teen drivers, 27 involved drivers 65+ and 7 were impaired drivers. Traffic Fatalities: 4 Fatality to date in 2025 Fatal and Suspected Serious Injury Crashes: 1. County Road DD and State Highway 64 (Fatal). Driver was approaching a stop sign and claimed due to neuropathy he was unable to lift foot from gas pedal. The vehicle went around another vehicle waiting at the stop sign controlling the intersection and struck a semi-truck which was moving through the intersection. The driver of the vehicle which struck the semi died three days later. 2. County Road O and County Road Q. A horse and buggy were struck by a grain truck. The horse had moved out towards the truck. The buggy was destroyed and the grain truck ended up on its side in the roadway. 3. State Highway 64 and Lekie Dr. Driver stopped at a stop sign and did not see an approaching vehicle. The Driver then entered the intersection and was struck by that approaching vehicle they had failed to notice. 4. County Road E and County Road O. Driver fell asleep, crossed the centerline, left the roadway, and then struck a tree. 5. County Road E and Mondeaux Ave. Driver fell asleep and left the roadway, the vehicle rolled. Driver was extricated from the vehicle. Driver had consumed alcohol and did not have a seatbelt on. 6. State Highway 13 near Alfalfa Ave (Fatal). Southbound vehicle crossed the centerline and collided head on with a northbound semi. Southbound vehicle was pushed back across the road to the west shoulder. Semi left the roadway into the east ditch. Both vehicles started on fire. Driver of southbound vehicle died at the scene. Driver of semi potentially had minor injuries. 7. State Highway 64 and Inn Dr. Eastbound vehicles crossed the centerline and jumped a driveway before colliding with some trees and overturning. Driver of the vehicle was later airlifted. 8. County Road C near Bond Ave. Southbound vehicle left the roadway and struck some trees and overturned. The driver was suspected of drug use. The passenger died several hours later. Todd Rasmussen, BOTS Law Enforcement Liaison • Crash numbers in the state are similar to last year, fatalities are down. • 337 crashes in Taylor County and 4 fatalities for the year, 2 of those this quarter. • Quarterly data compared to last 3 years average: 8% increase in crashes. The 3 fatalities in a single quarter were a big increase. 23% increase in crashes with drivers 65+. Speed and impaired driver-related crashes are down. 20% increase in deer-related crashes. • Law Enforcement Phlebotomy Program. 2 courses are being offered in 2026 by Madison College. Course dates are 5 -9 January and 18 -22 May. This course is funded by BOTS. Discussion on sworn law enforcement vs. Jail Staff attendance. Advertised to reduce OWI calls from 3 hours down to 20-30 minutes. • Discussion on implementation of citation and warning data into Community Maps. This will include DNR forms. Driver data is not stored by Community Maps. Goal is to get all agencies in a county to participate. • New Bills: o Traffic Calming Grants o Occupational licenses (for OWI 4th offenders) o Electronic ID Cards o Release of audio/video for officer involved death/critical incident o Speed and red-light running camps (Milwaukee) o School Bus stop arm cameras o Driver education curriculum • Signed into Law: o License Plate Concealment Devices o Police Vehicle Lights o 911 Dispatcher Community Anna Iverson, WISDOT • 2026 Construction Update: State Highway 13 o Little Black River Bridge o Detour from STH 29 – STH 97 – STH 64 Other Traffic Safety Issues • Nothing to report Next Committee Meeting : The next regular meeting of the Taylor County Traffic Safety Committee will be March 3, 2026, at 10:30 A.M. Adjournment: Motion by Liske/Rasmussen and carried to adjourn at approximately 11:04 a.m. Taylor County Traffic Safety Committee September 2, 2025 3rd Floor County Board Room, Taylor County Courthouse Call Meeting to Order: Benjamin Stanfley called the meeting to order at 10:30 a.m. Members Present: Benjamin Stanfley -TCHD, Todd Rasmussen -BOTS, Anna Iverson - WISDOT, Rick Tumaniec -WISDOT, Jeremy McNulty -WSP, Cory Schalinske-WSP, Kristi Tlusty -DA, Jesse Holtz -TASO, Chris Kauer - TASO, Chad Liske-MPO, Laurie Floyd-County Board Others Present: Brian Wilson – Star News Motion by Liske/Holtz and carried to approve the minutes of the June 3, 2025 meeting of the Taylor County Traffic Safety Committee. Motion by Holtz/Kauer and carried to approve the agenda with 8 items. Jesse Holtz, Taylor County Sheriff’s Office, since last meeting, June 3, 2025, reporting a total of 74 traffic accidents. 0 traffic fatalities, 19 with injury with 4 suspected serious injuries. 40 were deer related, 11 involved teen drivers, 9 involved drivers 65+ and 5 were impaired drivers. Traffic Fatalities: 1 Fatality to date in 2025 Suspected Serious Injury Crashes: 1. 7/26/25 – County Road A and County Road E vehicle swerved to avoid a vehicle that had failed to yield right of way and entered into the intersection and entered ditch and overturned and driver was ejected. Seat belt use was a factor. 2. 8/16/25 – County Road A near Swallow Drive car vs e -bike, bicycle lighting was disputed as factor. 3. 8/25/25 – Hall Drive near County Road O, Motorcycle vs Deer crash. 4. 8/30/25 – State Hwy 13 near Mulberry, vehicle left the roadway and struck a tree. Seatbelt use was a factor. Todd Rasmussen, BOTS Law Enforcement Liaison • There were 344 reported fatalities in WI to date, compared to 335 this time last year. • Taylor County has 209 crashes this year to date. • WWD – Wrong Way Driver: Refers to an incident in which a vehicle travels in the opposite direction of traffic flow on a roadway, typically on divided highways or freeway ramps. These events pose a serious safety risk and are often associated with high -speed collisions and fatalities. • Law Enforcement Phlebotomy Program Update: Provides specialized training for law enforcement officers and agency personnel in blood collection procedures for OWI investigations. The program aims to improve the efficiency and reliability of evidence collection by enabling trained officers to perform blood draws when medical staff are not immediately available. Training includes instruction on proper technique, safety protocols, and legal considerations. • Emergency Contact Law: Wisconsin residents will have the option to add one emergency contact to their report. This contact information could be available to law enforcement agencies in the event that you are in a collision or are experiencing a medical emergency. • Proposed Legislative Introduced in the Assembly: o Detention Assistance Requirements o Right to Repair Motor Vehicle o Impersonating an Officer o School Bus Lamps o Fatality Review teams o ATV/UTV Registered out of State o Law Enforcement Bill of Rights o Purple Funeral Vehicle Lights o ALPR Grants o 911 Dispatcher Immunity o Training Grants for Small Law Enforcement Agencies o ATV/UTV Operation & Patrol ATV/UTV, OHM, Snowmobile o Increased Weight Limits for UTV’s o Stop for Pedestrians • Proposed Legislation in the Public Hearing Process: o Rehired Annuitants (Law Enforcement/Firefighter) • Proposed Legislation that Passed out of Committee: o Vehicle Impoundment Traffic Offenses o Black and White Registration Plates o Rehired Annuitants (Protective Occupation) o Police Vehicle Lights o License Plate Concealment Devices o EMS Education and Live 911 Pilot Program o Subpoenas to Law Enforcement o Law Enforcement Data Sharing Grants • Unintroduced Draft Legislative Proposals o Extreme Risk Protection Temporary Restraining Orders and Injunctions o Government Data Sharing o School Bus Camera Recording o School Bus Operation over 70 o Drivers Education Curriculum (School Bus) o Move Over Slow Down Disabled Vehicle o Speed and Red-light Running Cameras o Traffic Calming Grants • Signed into Law by Governor Evers o Hearing Protection Grant for Law Enforcement & Fire Protective Agencies o K9 Riggs Act Rick Tumaniec, WISDOT Traffic Safety Engineer • 2025 Taylor Co Construction Update: o Project 8210-00-72, STH 73, STH 64W to CTH M West ▪ Resurfacing project, traffic under flagging operations ▪ Start tentatively June 20th and completed mid-August Other Traffic Safety Issues • Nothing to report Next Committee Meeting: The next regular meeting of the Taylor County Traffic Safety Committee will be December 2, 2025, at 10:30 A.M. Adjournment: Motion by Rasmussen/Liske and carried to adjourn at 10:52 a.m. Taylor County Traffic Safety Committee June 3, 2025 3rd Floor County Board Room, Taylor County Courthouse Call Meeting to Order: Jesse Holtz called the meeting to order at 10:30 a.m. Members Present: Jesse Holtz, Corey Dassow -TASO, John Luck-WSP, Rick Tumaniec - WISDOT, Todd Rasmussen -BOTS, Kristi Tlusty -DA, Lorie Floyd - County Board, Chad Liske-MPD Others Present: Fawn Wallace-Szydel, Joshua Szydel, Ethan Szydel, Neena Szydel, Clayton Szydel Motion by Floyd/Tumaniec and carried to approve the minutes of the March 4, 2025 meeting of the Taylor County Traffic Safety Committee. Motion by Tumaniec/Floyd and carried to approve the agenda with 8 items. Corey Dassow, Taylor County Sheriff’s Office, since last meeting, March 4, 2025, reporting a total of 55 traffic accidents. 1 traffic fatalities, 13 with injury with 6 suspected serious injuries. 19 were deer related, 7 involved teen drivers, 8 involved drivers 65+ and 4 were impaired drivers. Traffic Fatalities: 1. 6/1/2025 Gibson near Stetson Ave. Driver entered ditch striking embankment, overturning vehicle and becoming ejected. Speed, impaired driving and safety belt usage were believed to be factors. Suspected Serious Injury Crashes: 1. CTH M and County Line Road: A vehicle lost control and overturned in ditch. Speed too fast for conditions and occupant protection were factors. 2. Quarter Lane near Bunker Road: A vehicle struck a trailer that was illegally parked in the roadway. The trailer was occupied and subject ejected from trailer, illegal parking and sun glare were listed as factors. 3. CTH A east of CTH E: A vehicle vs bicyclist crash 4. CTH A and CTH E: Two vehicle crash. Failure to yield right of way at the intersection was a factor. 5. CTH C north of STH 64: Vehicle left the roadway striking a tree. Distracted driving was a factor. 6. Fawn Dr and Peche Dr: Motorcycle vs deer, impaired occupant protection were factors. Todd Rasmussen, BOTS Law Enforcement Liaison • There were 190 reported fatalities in WI to date, compared to 194 this time last year. • Taylor County has 116 crashes this year to date, compared to 148 this time last year. • Reporting Work Zone Crashes: Helps to evaluate the overall effectiveness of the work zone mitigation strategies as well as setting future policies to make work zones safer for the workers and traveling public. • Emergency Contact Law: Wisconsin residents will have the option to add one emergency contact to their report. This contact information could be available to law enforcement agencies in the event that you are in a collision or are experiencing a medical emergency. • Children’s Wisconsin Teen Driving Program: Targets teens 13 -18; Discusses safety topics: Distracted driving, seat belt use, speeding, impaired driving, nighttime driving, graduated driver licensing, and being a good passenger. • 100 Safest Days: More teen -driving fatalities occur between Memorial Day & Labor Day then the rest of year combined. Gamified app rewards safe driving with points and prizes. Encourages mindful habits and improves road safety. • 2025 Dates: o 2025 Drug Recognition Expert Training Opportunities, Spring Class April 2025, Fall Class October 2025 o Governor’s Conference on Highway Safety, August 19-20, 2025 • Proposed Legislative Introduced in the Assembly: o Black and White Registration Plates o Battery to a Community Service Officer o Detention Assistance Requirements o School Bus Lamps o Impersonating an Officer o Unlicensed Person Using a Vehicle o Police Vehicle Lights o Subpoenas to Law Enforcement o Fatality Review Terms o ATV/UTV Registered out of State o Hearing Protection Grant for Law Enforcement & Fire Protective Agencies • Proposed Legislation in the Public Hearing Process: o Rehired Annuitants (Law Enforcement/Firefighter) o Rehired Annuitants (Protective Occupation) o EMS Education and Live 911 Pilot Program o Unlicensed Person Using a Vehicle • Proposed Legislation that Passed out of Committee: o Vehicle Impoundment Traffic Offenses o License Plate Concealment Devices • Proposed Legislation that has Passed in One or Both Chambers: o County Sheriff Immigration Functions o K9 Riggs Act o Reckless Driving Vehicle Impoundment • Unintroduced Draft Legislative Proposals o CMV Cameras “Mirror Eye” o ALPR Grants o Purple Funeral Vehicle Lights o Law Enforcement Data Sharing Grants o 911 Dispatcher Immunity o ATV/UTV Operation & Patrol ATV/UTV, OHM, Snowmobile Rick Tumaniec, WISDOT Traffic Safety Engineer • 2025 Taylor Co Construction Update: o Project 8210-00-72, STH 73, STH 64W to CTH M West ▪ Resurfacing project, traffic under flagging operations ▪ Start tentatively June 20th and completed mid-August Other Traffic Safety Issues • Szydel family commented on concerns with CTH A and CTH E intersection. Specifically, drivers failing to yield right of way/stop at intersection. Extra patrol was offered by the Sheriff’s office and WI State Patrol. Further resources to be offered by the WI traffic safety engineer. Next Committee Meeting: The next regular meeting of the Taylor County Traffic Safety Committee will be September 2, 2025 at 10:30 A.M. Adjournment: Motion by Rasmussen/Liske and carried to adjourn at 11:25 a.m. Taylor County Traffic Safety Committee March 4, 2025 3rd Floor County Board Room, Taylor County Courthouse Call Meeting to Order: Benjamin Stanfley called the meeting to order at 10:30 a.m. Members Present: Benjamin Stanfley, Todd Rasmussen, Rick Tumaniec, Chad Liske, Chad Kowalczyk, Corey Resch and Laurie Floyd Others Present: None Motion by Rasmussen/Tumaniec and carried to approve the minutes of the December 3, 2024 meeting of the Taylor County Traffic Safety Committee. Motion by Floyd/Liske and carried to approve the agenda with 8 items. Chad Kowalcyk, Taylor County Sheriff’s Office, reported a total of 85 traffic accidents. 0 traffic fatalities, 13 with injury with 3 suspected serious injuries. 37 were deer related, 14 involved teen drivers, 11 involved drivers 65+ and 13 were impaired drivers. 2024 ended with 0 Fatalities for the year. Suspected Serious Injury Crashes: 1. 1/19/25: State Hwy 13 and Alfalfa Ave. Vehicle was being removed from the ditch by another motorist when they were rear ended by an impaired driver. 2. 1/25/25: CTH C and Apple Ave. Vehicle lost control on ice covered roadway and struck oncoming traffic resulting in 4 injuries. 3. 2/15/25: STH 64 and Wren Dr. Pedestrian vs. Vehicle accident; Pedestrian made a sudden movement into traffic. Todd Rasmussen, BOTS Law Enforcement Liaison • There were 73 reported fatalities in WI to date, compared to 58 this time last year. • There were 574 reported fatalities in WI in 2024, compared to 565 fatalities in WI in 2023. • Taylor County has 70 crashes this year to date, compared to 53 this time last year. • Taylor County had 509 crashes in 2024, compared to 515 in 2023. • 1 Year average: Minor, Aggressive, Distracted driving, Winter Weather and Work Zone crashes are up, while Impaired Driving is down. • A new roadside screen tool for WI Law Enforcement: DOSCI. This tool will provide law enforcement with information and justification to complete a Driver Condition Report. • Community Maps: Commission Tool kit provides a variety of tools, templates, and other documents designed to improve TSC functionality. • Safe Roads Challenge App: Each summer between Memorial Day and Labor Day, there are more fatalities related to teen-drivers than the rest of the year combined. Also, referred to as the 100 deadliest days for teen drivers. With the app drivers earn points and prizes for safe driving. By staying engaged, they improve road safety and contribute to safer communities. • 2025 Dates: o 2025 Drug Recognition Expert Training Opportunities, Spring Class April 2025, Fall Class October 2025 o Governor’s Conference on Highway Safety, August 19-20, 2025 • Proposed Legislative Introduced in the Assembly: o Black and White Registration Plates o Battery to a Community Service Officer o Rehired Annuitants (Law Enforcement/Firefighter) o Detention Assistance Requirements o K9 Riggs Act o Reckless Driving Vehicle Impoundment o License Plate Concealment Devices • Proposed Legislation in the Public Hearing Process: o County Sheriff Immigration Function • Proposed Legislation that Passed out of Committee: o Vehicle Impoundment Traffic Offenses o John Doe Charges • Unintroduced Draft Legislative Proposals: o Riots o Rehired Annuitants (Protective Occupation) o School Bus Lamps o Impersonating an Officer Rick Tumaniec, WISDOT Traffic Safety Engineer • 2025 Taylor Co Construction Update: o Resurfacing project, traffic under flagging operations o No Schedule Yet Other Traffic Safety Issues • Nothing to report Next Committee Meeting: The next regular meeting of the Taylor County Traffic Safety Committee will be June 3, 2025, at 10:30 A.M. Adjournment: Motion by Floyd/Liske and carried to adjourn at 10:56 a.m.