One crash is too many: WisDOT emphasizes ‘safe actions save lives’ in work zones

​Safety tips highlighted during annual Work Zone Awareness Week campaign​

​​​​​​​​​​Release date: April 20, 2026

As the 2026 construction season ramps up across the state, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) is reminding motorists that small decisions behind the wheel can have life-altering consequences – especially in work zones. Gov. Tony Evers has proclaimed this week (April 20-24) as Work Zone Awareness Week in Wisconsin. This year's national theme is “safe actions save lives". The annual campaign marks the start of construction season across our country, but more importantly, promotes road worker safety and attentive driving in work zones. 

“Work zone safety isn't just about slowing down for a few miles. It's about respect and responsibility," WisDOT Secretary Kristina Boardman said. “We saw a slight decrease in the number of work zone fatalities in Wisconsin last year, but even one crash in work zones is too many. Each work zone is someone's workplace. Please slow down, give them space and be a little more patient. Your commitment to safe driving can help all of us get home; after all, safe actions save lives."

WisDOT is taking the following steps to protect motorists and construction workers:

• Investing in building safer roads and reliable infrastructure that the people of Wisconsin deserve.
• Using innovative technology and equipment in construction zones to notify drivers of their speed and flashing warning lights to help alert drivers of possible delays and backups ahead.
• Implementing a pilot program, in collaboration with the Wisconsin Transportation Builders Association (WTBA), to evaluate additional strategies to improve worker safety on rural highways.

Each year, hundreds of crashes occur in Wisconsin work zones – many caused by speeding, distracted driving or following too close. These incidents not only damage vehicles, but they put road workers, drivers, passengers and first responders at risk.

• Preliminary data shows more than 2,000 crashes were recorded in Wisconsin work zones in 2025, resulting in seven deaths and more than 600 injuries.
• Last year's number of work zone fatalities in Wisconsin marks a slight decline in recent years – 10 people were killed in 2024, nine fatalities in 2023 and eight deaths in 2022.
• Drivers and passengers make up the vast majority of those injured or killed in a work zone crash, but workers remain at risk as well. Since 2019, there have been seven worker deaths in Wisconsin work zones.​
  

Safety first in Wisconsin work zones

• Follow posted speed limits. Please be patient and courteous to other drivers.
• Leave the phone alone. Texting while driving is illegal in Wisconsin and talking on a hand-held mobile device is illegal in work zones. State law also prohibits use of a hand-held mobile device in areas surrounding emergency response vehicles with flashing lights.
• Give space to emergency responders and roadside workers. Wisconsin's Move Over Law now applies to maintenance operations, emergency response units and disabled vehicles.
• Download the 2026 Wisconsin work zone safety fact sheet.
• Visit WisDOT's work zone safety webpage for more tips and information.​
  

Join efforts to promote work zone safety

• Show support for work zone safety with the social media hashtags #NWZAW, #WorkZoneSafety, or #Orange4Safety (but please never text and drive).
• Buckle Up, Phone Down. Take the pledge at wisconsindot.go v/BUPD and share your commitment and challenge with others via social media using the hashtag #BuckleUpPhoneDown.​
• A special thanks to the Hoan Group, the Hoan Bridge in Milwaukee will be lit orange on Tuesday (April 21) to recognize Work Zone Awareness Week.​
• Participate in “Go Orange Day" on Wednesday, April 22 by wearing orange in support of work zone safety. Tag it on social media with #Orange4Safety and #GoOrangeDay.
  
• A nationwide moment of silence is planned for Friday, April 24 for people who lost their lives in a work zone incident.
• Message boards across Wisconsin will display the number of lives lost in Wisconsin work zones in 2025.
• Additionally, construction staff and contractors on WisDOT’s project along WIS 144 near West Bend will pause operations for seven minutes at 7 a.m. Friday (April 24) to recognize the seven people killed in Wisconsin work zones in 2025.
  
• The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Road Safety Art Contest is now underway through June 5, 2026. Kids can enter their artwork (digital, photo, video or artwork) to raise safety awareness and be recognized for their efforts.
  

WisDOT is currently airing two radio public service announcements (15-second and 30-second spots) across the state to emphasize safe driving in work zones, as well as using 511 Wisconsin to “know before you go". 

Work Zone Awareness Week is the start of WisDOT's season-long campaign to increase work zone safety messaging across the state. WisDOT engages with county highway partners, Wisconsin Counties Association, Wisconsin Transportation Builders Association and others to promote safe driving in work zones.