Safety Report - October 2025

Gary Klinker

October 2025

Fall is in full swing, but we still have a few classes left for the year.

We have had a successful season, but have missed Larry a lot. He is recovering well from his open-heart surgery, so we look forward to having him back next year. In the meantime, he is still a great help behind the scenes. I want to thank all our Rider Coaches for a great job this season, along with Kelley in the office for all her work. The switch to the Motors system for our registrations and reporting has had some extra work since we were the first site to fully implement it. The Be Crash Free people were very responsive to any suggestions or changes to the system. Next season should start very seamlessly without a lot of extra work.

Larry and I attended the Governor’s Highway Safety Conference representing Safe Rider. It included the typical Vision Zero initiatives that have been a focus in recent years. The new item that was presented was the introduction in the Wisconsin legislature of AB 371 and SB 375. These bills would authorize a pilot program in Milwaukee to use Red Light and Speed cameras at intersections. I’m as concerned as anyone about traffic safety, but I have serious doubts about the use of these cameras. In other parts of the country, camera companies and municipal officials have been prosecuted for corruption, bribery, and kickbacks. There are also Constitutional issues involved. There is also the question of the accuracy of the technology and driver/ownership of the vehicles involved. Wisconsin is one of the states that currently does not allow the use of these cameras.

The company that supplies the system stresses the fact that there is no upfront cost to the city, but would not answer my question of operational costs. The lobbyist for Milwaukee and representatives for the Massachusetts-based company led a forum about the program, complete with food and drinks. It all sounded very good, and the audience was largely supportive. I remarked afterward that it reminded me of a timeshare sales pitch.

Since I avoid Milwaukee (and don’t run red lights), this would not have a lot of effect on me personally. It will impact many ABATE members who live in southeast Wisconsin. I urge everyone to investigate this issue and contact your legislators one way or the other.

For more information and research on red light cameras, I recommend going to the National Motorists Association website. They have been working on it for years all over the country.

In the meantime, get out and enjoy the beautiful fall weather, riding or bow hunting. I’ll be doing both. Next month, I will report on our week of riding the Black Hills. Gotta go.

Ride Safe,

Gary