Marquette University Students Advocate for Traffic Unit to Combat Reckless Driving and Enhance Road Safety

MILWAUKEE — Walking to class can be nerve-wracking, especially for Marquette University student Anthony Wiseman. He has noticed some dangerously fast drivers on campus. “I’ve seen cars speeding well over 80 miles per hour,” he said. “It’s crazy.”

To tackle this issue, Marquette University has set up a new traffic enforcement unit. This initiative aims to keep students safer and reduce reckless driving. They’ve invested in speed detection technology and provided extra training for officers.

“MUPD is dedicated to community safety,” said Chief Edith Hudson. “With small investments in equipment and training, we are focused on changing dangerous driving behaviors around campus.”

The Marquette Police Department (MUPD) boasts 48 officers who can make arrests and issue citations. Since launching the traffic unit in June, they have made 200 traffic stops and issued 171 citations, which represents a significant increase in enforcement compared to last year.

“I feel safer knowing they are out there,” Wiseman noted.

While many students appreciate the effort, some, like junior Wade Chaffee, think larger issues linger. “Reckless driving isn’t just a campus problem; it’s a city-wide issue,” he remarked.

Data from Community Maps shows that there have been hundreds of crashes near the campus in the past five years. These incidents include serious injuries and one fatality. This highlights the ongoing challenge of road safety.

Wiseman and others are hopeful that the new traffic unit will encourage safer driving habits. “It’s definitely a step in the right direction,” he said.

With many students expressing optimism, it’s clear that this initiative is more than just enforcement; it’s about improving the overall safety of the campus environment.

For more on MUPD, check out their official webpage.

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