Milwaukee alderman says reckless driving impoundment ordinance is resulting in safer streets

The Milwaukee alderman that authored the reckless driving impoundment ordinance is touting its success after eight months of being law. 

Between Nov. 5, 2025, and July 5, 2026, 221 vehicles were impounded for reckless driving violations. 

According to Ald. Lamont Westmoreland, the ordinance has led to dozens of vehicles being brought up to compliance, vehicle owners paid thousands in outstanding citations and there have been zero repeat impounds. 

The Department of Public Works released data in recent months that showed the changes to streets, like speed bumps and curbouts, have resulted in a significant reduction in speeding. 

The enforcement piece through the city ordinance shows that vehicle impoundment can be a deterrent from reckless driving as well. 

According to Westmoreland, Vehicle owners paid $6,625.30 in outstanding citations before their vehicles were released and $42,945 in towing, storage, and non-insurance-related fees were collected, ensuring those responsible bore the financial costs associated with the impoundment.

Sixty-six previously unregistered vehicles were brought into compliance by being properly registered before they could be released. Only two vehicles were ultimately recycled after not being reclaimed. Westmoreland said the ordinance also helped in reuniting stolen vehicles with their owners. 

“Does this mean we’ve solved reckless driving? No,” the alderman said in a statement. 

“Eight months of data is not enough to declare victory, and I won’t pretend otherwise. Whether this ordinance ultimately leads to fewer reckless driving incidents remains to be seen. What we do know is that municipalities now have a stronger accountability tool than they had before, and that tool is being used.

“My hope is that through consistent enforcement, this ordinance will not only hold reckless drivers accountable after they endanger others, but also influence future behavior and contribute to safer streets over time. We will continue to monitor the data, evaluate its effectiveness, and make adjustments where necessary.

“Public policy shouldn’t be measured by headlines or political talking points – it should be measured by sustained results. This ordinance is an important piece of a broader strategy to improve safety on Milwaukee’s streets, and I remain committed to ensuring we continue to use every available tool to protect our residents while creating new tools along the way.”

Following a state law change, Milwaukee was one of the first municipalities to pass an ordinance to engage in reckless driving impoundment through the Milwaukee Police Department. 

Milwaukee County announced last month that the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office have begun doing the same and communities across Wisconsin have since adopted or pursued similar ordinances, including Appleton, Brookfield, DeForest, Grand Chute, Green Bay, Waukesha, West Allis, and Whitefish Bay.