MADISON, Wis. — The Wisconsin State Patrol said they’re increasing patrols on the Beltline in Madison for the coming months, after an increase in what they call “risky behavior” on the road.

What You Need To Know

  • State Patrol is seeing an increase in speeding and reckless driving on the Beltline

  • They've seen drivers using the flex lane even when it's marked closed

  • They're parterning with local law enforcment to increase patrols on the Beltline through the summer

Andy Struevel takes the Beltline to and from work every day. He said conditions on the highway are always a toss-up.

“You just never really know what’s going to happen,” he said. “Some days, things are flowing fine. And then some days you’re kind of hoping to get into work on time, and it’s just super backed up.”

Armando Reyes takes the Beltline a few times a week. He said lately, he’s noticed people driving a lot faster than usual.

“I had been noticing that increase of speed near downtown Madison. I’m not sure what’s going on,” he said.

He’s not alone. State Patrol Inspector Jon Fenrick said Wisconsin State Patrol has noticed an uptick in reckless driving on the Beltline too.

“We’ve seen a lot of increased speeds,” he said. “Then the crashes that continue to happen out here on the Beltline are just more severe because of those increased speeds.”

Fenrick said he’s witnessed drivers going 100 miles per hour and using the Flex Lane when its clearly marked as closed.

“They think that since it has been a lane at some points, they can continue to use it as lane, and that’s just causing a lot of reckless driving behaviors,” he said.

That’s why Wisconsin State Patrol is partnering with local law enforcement to increase patrols through the summer.

“The main thing we’re trying to get people to do is just voluntary compliance with the speed limits and traffic laws that are on here,” Fenrick said. “We’re trying to get from our point A to point B safely, and we want everybody else to be able to do that. The speed limits aren’t a recommendation, they are the limit. So, if it says on the Beltline that the speed limit is 55, we expect you to go 55.”

Fenrick said the Wisconsin State Patrol wants to remind everyone to drive sober, buckle up, put your phone down and drive courteously.

If you are pulled over by law enforcement, you are supposed to pull over on the right-shoulder of the road. Do not stop in the Flex Lane, even if the lane is closed. If there is no safe place to immediately pull over, move your vehicle to the right lane, turn on the emergency flashers and reduce your speed to signal to law enforcement that you are aware of their presence until you reach the nearest safe area to stop your vehicle.