The Wisconsin State Patrol on Wednesday, September 16, partnered with the Dane County Sheriff’s Office and Monona Police Department to promote safe driving on Dane County’s Beltline (US 12/18), one of the state’s busiest highways.

The law enforcement agencies joined together to conduct an aerial enforcement on the Beltline, using aircraft in conjunction with ground vehicles to enforce traffic safety laws with a focus on speed and reckless driving.

The operations resulted in 65 traffic stops, including the following:

  • Highest speed of 112 mph
  • Average speed of 85 mph among those cited
  • Multiple stops for motorists following too close and cutting off other vehicles, including one driver that was stopped for tailgating within half a car length and cutting off other vehicles
  • Commercial motor vehicle driver stopped for going 84 mph

In 2025, the Wisconsin State Patrol issued over 1,100 citations and warnings on the Beltline and over 550 so far this year. Most of the speeding citations were for drivers going 20 mph or more over the speed limit. The speed limit on the Beltline is 55 mph and any conviction for traveling 25 mph over the legal speed limit results in a mandatory 15-day driver license suspension.

“Speeding, tailgating and texting behind the wheel or driving without regard to others puts every traveler at risk,” Wisconsin State Patrol Superintendent Tim Carnahan said. “Crashes are preventable, and we’re asking drivers to work together by putting safety first every time they get behind the wheel. We will continue to work with our Dane County law enforcement partners on initiatives to make the Beltline safer, but we rely on drivers to do their part so every traveler feels safe on the Beltline.”

In 2025, there were 553 crashes on the Beltline causing two fatalities and 225 injuries. WisDOT and the Wisconsin State Patrol continue efforts to promote safety on Wisconsin roads through partnerships, innovation and following the Safe System approach to achieve zero preventable deaths on Wisconsin roads.

Wisconsin State Patrol and Dane County law enforcement partners will continue with Beltline enforcement efforts throughout the year, working to deter speeders and reckless drivers while educating motorists about the law. These enforcements are typically publicly announced ahead of time. The goal is not to initiate traffic stops or make arrests, but to educate motorists about safe driving behaviors, gain voluntary compliance with Wisconsin traffic laws and make Wisconsin roads safer for everyone.