Release date: July 25, 2024
Thousands of highway crews work day and night to improve the roads and bridges we rely on every day, including along I-39 in Portage County. Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) officials today joined the Wisconsin State Patrol, Portage County Highway Department, community leaders and industry partners at a news conference in Plover to emphasize the message of safe, responsible driving – especially in work zones.
“Safety is our top priority on Wisconsin roads, including the hundreds of work zones across the state,” WisDOT North Central Region Director Matt Bronson said at the event. “People are taking more chances on the road with reckless behaviors – excessive speeds, looking at their phones or changing lanes suddenly. We’re all in this together. Each of us has a role in keeping our roads safe. Motorists are in the driver’s seat to make a difference and protect our highway workers and emergency responders.”
According to WisDOT data, more than 2,100 crashes were recorded in Wisconsin work zones in 2023, resulting in nine deaths and more than 700 injuries. Speeding, tailgating and distracted driving are the leading causes of work zone crashes in Wisconsin. State law prohibits texting while driving on any road. It is also illegal to use a hand-held mobile device in work zones and in areas surrounding emergency response vehicles with flashing lights. Motorists are urged to buckle up and put their phone down when driving.
In Wisconsin, work zones include highway construction and rolling maintenance operations as well as emergency response, municipal projects and utility work along local roads.
“Together with our partners, we are working hard to make progress in work zone safety, but we rely heavily on the traveling public to give their undivided attention in work zones,” Portage County Highway Commissioner Nathan Check said. “We ask everyone on the road to eliminate distractions and be mindful of their speed while driving through work zones this construction season.”
Today’s event held at the Portage County Highway Department facility in Plover continues 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.
How can people help?
- Drive safely. Be courteous, avoid distractions and obey posted speed limits.
- Park the phone when driving. Ttexting while driving is illegal statewide and talking on a hand-held mobile device is illegal in work zones.
- Give space to emergency responders. Move over or slow down for emergency vehicles stopped along a highway with their warning lights flashing. That includes police and fire vehicles, ambulances, tow trucks and highway maintenance vehicles. In addition, state law restricts use of a cell phone in areas surrounding those vehicles.
- Buckle Up, Phone Down. Take the pledge at wisconsindot.gov/BUPD.
Visit WisDOT's work zone safety website for more tips and information.
For more information, contact:
WisDOT Office of Public Affairs
(608) 266-3581,
opa.exec@dot.wi.gov