Green Bay Passes Ordinance to Impound Vehicles of Reckless Drivers

New law aims to curb dangerous driving behavior in the city

Feb. 3, 2026 at 11:15pm

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The Green Bay City Council has unanimously approved a new ordinance that will allow police to impound vehicles involved in reckless driving incidents. The move comes in response to a rise in reckless driving citations in the city over the past few years, which have resulted in hundreds of injuries and several deaths annually in Brown County. The new law, which takes effect immediately, is part of a broader effort by local authorities to address the public safety concerns posed by dangerous driving behaviors.

Why it matters

Reckless driving has become an increasingly serious issue in Green Bay and the surrounding Brown County area, leading to a high number of crashes, injuries, and fatalities each year. The new ordinance gives police an additional tool to crack down on this dangerous behavior and serve as a deterrent to would-be reckless drivers.

The details

Under the new ordinance, Green Bay police officers will now be able to impound vehicles that are involved in reckless driving incidents. This includes behaviors such as excessive speeding, weaving between lanes, and other unsafe maneuvers. Police say they have seen an average of 85-86 reckless driving citations per year over the past three years in the city.

  • The Green Bay City Council unanimously approved the new ordinance on Tuesday night.
  • The ordinance takes effect immediately.

The players

Green Bay Police Department

The local law enforcement agency responsible for enforcing traffic laws and responding to reckless driving incidents in the city.

Green Bay Common Council

The legislative body of the City of Green Bay that voted to approve the new reckless driving ordinance.

Sean Hamill

A sergeant with the Green Bay Police Department who spoke about the rise in reckless driving incidents and the need for the new ordinance.

Brian Johnson

The president of the Green Bay Common Council, who voiced support for the new ordinance but emphasized the need for effective public communication about the changes.

Chris Davis

The police chief of the Green Bay Police Department, who said the department has a communication plan to inform the public about the new reckless driving ordinance.

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What they’re saying

“Speed and reckless driving is definitely a serious issue in Green Bay, Brown County, and the state of Wisconsin as well. Make sure we're looking out for each other and driving in a safe manner.”

— Sean Hamill, Sergeant, Green Bay Police Department

“I fully support this and think this is important. However, if we make this change and people don't know we made this change it's going to lack the impact that we're looking for.”

— Brian Johnson, President, Green Bay Common Council

“We have a communication plan for informing the public about the changes.”

— Chris Davis, Police Chief, Green Bay Police Department

What’s next

The Green Bay Police Department has said they will be actively communicating with the public about the new reckless driving ordinance to ensure residents are aware of the changes and the potential consequences for engaging in unsafe driving behaviors.

The takeaway

The new ordinance in Green Bay represents a proactive step by local authorities to address the growing problem of reckless driving and its impact on public safety. By giving police the ability to impound vehicles involved in such incidents, the city hopes to serve as a deterrent and make the roads safer for all residents.