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Bucks' Bobby Portis joins Milwaukee reckless driving crackdown effort
Milwaukee Bucks star Bobby Portis, Mayor Cavalier Johnson and WisDOT launched a new campaign to stop reckless driving Thursday.
MILWAUKEE - Milwaukee Bucks star Bobby Portis, Mayor Cavalier Johnson and the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) launched a new campaign to stop reckless driving Thursday, Oct. 27.
Portis is the face behind the "Control Your Drive" campaign. He said it is a cause that's close to his heart and wants his message to be heard.
"What bigger way to give back than to help save someone’s life," Portis said. "I’ve lost a lot of people to reckless driving."
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The new campaign is the latest effort by WisDOT to stop reckless driving. On average, 2,900 people are injured by reckless drivers in Wisconsin each year. Eighty-seven people died as a result of reckless driving in Wisconsin thus far in 2022.
"In recent years, reckless driving has contributed to 40% of the fatalities here in Milwaukee, compared to 18% across the state of Wisconsin," said Craig Thompson, WisDOT secretary.
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Bobby Portis, others announced Milwaukee reckless driving campaign
Milwaukee Bucks’ Bobby Portis and Mayor Cavalier Johnson joins the Wisconsin Department of Transportation in launching a new partnership on reckless driving on Thursday.
Milwaukee is at the epicenter of the crisis. Police data shows 62 people have died in crashes in the city, and more than 1,000 were hurt. On Tuesday, three teens were critically injured in a crash.
Johnson said it's something Milwaukee is focused on fixing.
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"My voice does not reach every single person, whereas a voice like Bobby Portis’ helps to amplify that message," he said.
Leders wants the new campaign to be a slam dunk with drivers. The ad featuring Portis will debut at Fiserv Forum during Friday's game. It will run throughout the season and can also be seen on-air and on social media.