Latest news with #TinaBraddy
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
In Wisconsin, you can add an emergency contact to your driver's license, but few have done it
More than 82,000 Wisconsinites have signed up to link an emergency contact to their driver's license within the first year of the feature becoming available. On average, around 1,000 people opt into the program per week, according to a news release from the state Department of Transportation. That represents less than 2% of all 4.47 million licensed Wisconsin drivers in 2024, according to DOT data. At the end of 2024, just over 53,000 had signed up for the program. 'This is a very simple, successful program that helps law enforcement reach a loved one or friend faster in case there's an emergency,' DMV Bureau of Driver Services Director Tina Braddy said. 'It's there if you need it.' If you're interested in signing up for the program, here's how. The program is optional, and an emergency contact isn't added automatically. The easiest way to sign up is online here. You'll need the following information: Your first and last name Your Wisconsin driver license or ID card number The last four digits of your Social Security number Your date of birth Your emergency contact's name Your emergency contact's address Your emergency contact's phone number Your relationship to the emergency contact More: The Real ID deadline has passed. Here's how it's affecting wait times at Milwaukee's airport and the DMV According to the DOT, only law enforcement is able to access the information, including police from other states. Emergency contact information doesn't appear on the physical license card. The law requires the DOT not to disclose information to anyone except law enforcement and DOT employees. The law, which is abbreviated TIFF — "To Inform Families First" — was signed by Democratic Gov. Tony Evers in late 2023. It had strong bipartisan support in the state Legislature. 'This is extremely valuable information when it comes to accidents, or even a walk-away situation for an Alzheimer's patient, an overdose, or any emergency when we may need to contact a loved one on a Wisconsinite's behalf,' Sen. Jesse James, a Republican from Altoona and a part-time police officer, said in a press release. Sixteen other states have the same legislation, bill authors said at the time. The effort is led by Christine Olson, a Milwaukee native, who wasn't notified for 6½ hours after her daughter was killed by a drunk driver in Florida. "You never know how much you will need this — until you do," Olson said in the press release. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin's emergency contact program for driver's license draws few
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
DOT: First year of emergency contact program sees over 82,000 Wisconsinites take advantage
MADISON, Wis. (WFRV) – In the first year of the Wisconsin DMV allowing motorists and individuals to add an emergency contact to their license or ID, WisDOT officials say over 82,000 Wisconsites took advantage. According to a release, a total of 82,133 people in the Badger State have added contact information to either their driver's license or ID through a convenient online process. Wisconsin State Patrol's 'Click It or Ticket' campaign results in more than 1,300 citations Officials say Gov. Tony Evers signed the 'To Inform Families First' (TIFF law) in 2023 as a way to provide law enforcement with the ability to more quickly contact the family or loved ones of someone involved in an emergency. The number of people signing up averages a little over one thousand per week. As with all DMV services now available online, people can easily add this information themselves online anytime. DMV Bureau of Driver Services Director Tina Braddy Adding emergency contact information to a driver's license or ID is said to be voluntary, and the information will not physically appear on the card. The only people who will have access to the information are law enforcement, including police in other states. Those looking to add emergency contact information to their license or ID can do so here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Wisconsin Department of Transportation warning residents of fake DMV link scams
(WFRV) – The Wisconsin Department of Transportation's (WisDOT) Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) announced on Tuesday that there has been a recent uptick in a phishing scam involving fraudulent websites sent by people pretending to work for the department. The recent scam usually involves a message citing either a 'final notice' or an unpaid traffic violation, neither of which is real; however, they mimic official WisDOT content and are not from the Department. 'Nothing is urgent enough to destroy their life': Sheriff in Wisconsin catches driver going 105 mph in a 55 zone On Monday, the DMV noted a rise in calls from customers asking about the messages, just a few months after these types of scams hit Wisconsinites in March and April. Other states are experiencing similar things, Tina Braddy, the DMV's Bureau of Driver Services Director, said in a release. 'We're hearing from our DMV counterparts that Illinois, Pennsylvania, Florida, New Jersey, Georgia and New York were hit with this scam last week,' Braddy said. 'Given the number of calls we're getting from DMV customers, it's likely Wisconsin is the next target.' Residents should be on the lookout, the DMV said, and follow the following tips: Be suspicious of any message that promptly demands money Never share personal details with unknown senders Do not respond, especially if you never signed up to receive emails or messages from the DMV Sign up for activity alerts through the official DMV website, available here. Wisconsin Better Business Bureau exposes top elderly scams and offers prevention advice If you fall victim to a scam, take any of the following steps if possible: Local law enforcement Federal Trade Commission AARP's Fraud Watch Helpline Request a free credit report Research identity theft protection No additional details area available Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
