WisDOT kicks off Work Zone Awareness Week with safety event

Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) Secretary Craig Thompson and Wisconsin State Patrol Superintendent Tim Carnahan today joined federal, county and local officials to urge people to drive safely in work zones throughout Wisconsin this construction season.

Each year, more than 2,400 crashes happen in Wisconsin work zones, putting workers and motorists' lives at risk. At the news conference, a highway worker shared a personal story about his experience working just feet away from highway traffic. We all play a role to keep work zones safe. 

Watch today's news conference about Work Zone Awareness Week. Please credit WisDOT if you use segments of this video.

“Work zones are temporary, but our decisions behind the wheel can make an impact forever," WisDOT Secretary Craig Thompson said. “The people working behind the barrels rely on us to drive safely. Glancing at a text or social media alert while driving is not worth it. Let's work together to avoid distractions and stay focused on the road ahead. Safe drivers create safe work zones."​

How can people help?

• Drive safely. Be courteous, put the phone down and obey posted speed limits.
• Move over, or slow down, when you see workers and vehicles with flashing lights along the highway. Wisconsin's Move Over Law applies to maintenance operations as well as emergency response units.
• Show support for work zone safety with the social media hashtags #WorkWithUs, #NWZAW, #WorkZoneSafety, or #Orange4Safety (but please never text and drive).
• Don't forget to participate in “Go Orange Day" on Wednesday (April 19) by wearing orange in support of highway safety. Tag your photo/video on social media with #Orange4Safety and #GoOrangeDay.
• A nationwide moment of silence is planned for Friday (April 21) for people who lost their lives in a work zone incident.​

​Visit wisconsindot.gov and search “work zone" for more tips and information.