WisDOT: Safety First

Part of being safer together is understanding the types of behavior on Wisconsin’s transportation network that are risky to oneself, passengers, other drivers, or non-drivers like pedestrian and bicyclists. Below are general safety tips for all road users.

Speeding and reckless driving

Reckless driving means operating a vehicle in a way that endangers or is likely to endanger people or property. Most behaviors associated with reckless or aggressive driving are illegal. WisDOT uses a combination of strategies to raise awareness and create a safer transportation system for all, including community partnerships, education, enforcement, and engineering. Wisconsin State Patrol works with local law enforcement agencies as needed on special enforcement campaigns to address issues like reckless driving.

Safe driving tips:

• Treat others the way you would like to be treated. Courteous driving encourages other drivers to be courteous. Aggressive driving influences others to drive aggressively.
• Plan ahead to avoid the worse congestion and allow yourself plenty of time to get to your destination. Check 511wi.gov for the latest travel conditions on your route.
• If you run into frustrations along your route, try to relax. Take a deep breath, chat with a companion, listen to music and accept that your trip may take longer.
• Do not drive when you are angry, upset or overly tired.
• Speed limits are established with ideal driving conditions in mind. Drivers are required to slow down – no matter the speed limit – for inclement weather, heavy traffic, roadwork, or emergency incident management.

More information about speeding and reckless driving can be found here.

Distracted driving

Being distracted, or not giving your full attention to your driving, can cause you to strike a pedestrian, crash, leave the roadway, not notice a hazard or danger, or miss important traffic signs or signals. Anything that takes your attention away from driving can lead you to make a poor choice while driving. This includes distractions by passengers. Your concentration should be completely on your driving and what is around and ahead of your vehicle.

Texting while driving is an even more dangerous form of distracted driving because it diverts a driver's eyes, hands, and mind - for a significant amount of time - from the safe operation of the vehicle.

Wisconsin state law forbids driving "any motor vehicle while composing or sending an electronic text message or an electronic mail message." Wisconsin's texting ban is a primary enforcement law, which means law enforcement officers may stop motorists suspected of this offense.

To avoid the risk of distracted driving:

• Find a place to park in a safe location if you need to send or read a text.
• Choose a passenger as the designated texter or navigator to get you to your location safely.
• Do not scroll through apps while driving. Put your phone out of reach if you're tempted to use it when behind the wheel.

Additional information about distracted driving can be found here. WisDOT challenges all Wisconsinites to put safety first by taking the two most important actions to prevent or survive a crash: put the phone down while driving and always use a seat belt. Take the Buckle Up Phone Down pledge here.

Impaired driving

Impaired driving is when a person's ability to safely operate and control a motor vehicle is compromised. Operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances is an example of impaired driving. The best advice is do not drive if you drink alcohol. Even one drink can affect your driving.

Impaired driving is preventable:

• Choose a sober designated driver before you start drinking.
• If you're feeling buzzed, you are likely over the 0.08 limit and should not drive.
• Rather than risk an arrest or crash, take mass transit, ride share or taxi, or ask a sober friend to drive you home.
• Save a life - don't let your friends drive drunk.
• Some taverns and restaurants have programs to provide patrons with a safe ride home. Visit The Tavern League of Wisconsin to learn more.
• Report impaired drivers to law enforcement or call 911.

More information on impaired driving can be found here.

Work zone safety

Road work zones are necessary for the upkeep and improvement of Wisconsin's infrastructure, and every year thousands of hard-working men and women participate in street, highway and bridge projects statewide. While all roadwork is temporary, the decisions - and mistakes - that drivers make in work zones can have a lasting impact. It's in every driver's best interest to stay focused and patient - especially in work zones. Keep in mind that even at a reduced speed limit of 55 mph, a vehicle travels 80 feet per second and can clear a football field in the time it takes to glance at a phone or a radio dial.

Additional information about work zone safety can be found here.

Non-driver safety

Drivers also have a responsibility to protect those who aren't traveling in vehicles. Use caution around pedestrians and bicyclists on the roadways and be aware of the rules of the roads that govern interactions with them. Non-drivers must always be alert and follow rules and guidelines to protect themselves on the roads.

• Bicycle safety – Bicycles are considered vehicles on Wisconsin roadways and all types of vehicles need to share the road to keep everyone safe. Bicyclists must obey the rules of the road and must be treated as equal users by other vehicles. Bicycles are particularly vulnerable to injuries, but there are simple things bicyclists can do to greatly reduce their risk of crash, death or injury.
• Pedestrian safety – The most important safety tip to reduce pedestrian injuries and fatalities is to pay attention. A pedestrian can significantly reduce the chance of a collision with a motor vehicle by obeying traffic rules and being aware of dangers posed by cars. Drivers also have a responsibility to create a protected space for pedestrians to travel safely.

WisDOT staff and external contractors identify, analyze, compare, and implement many roadway projects and designs with the explicit goal of making Wisconsin’s transportation network safer to use for all modes of transportation.

Elements of our design and evaluation process

Roadway design can vary based on types and volumes of vehicles, highway speeds, and surrounding environment. WisDOT engineers carefully analyze and develop highway designs to implement safe, sustainable, and reliable solutions for all modes of transportation.

To learn more about engineering solutions, known as countermeasures, check out WisDOT’s safety engineering site.

Traffic operations materials

The department’s Traffic Operations Manual webpage provides information related to the Wisconsin Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices, the Traffic Engineering, Operations, and Safety Manual and other resources.

Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) Proven Safety Countermeasures - FHWA’s Proven Safety Countermeasures initiative is a collection of 28 countermeasures and strategies effective in reducing roadway fatalities and serious injuries on our nation’s highways.

WisDOT produces and uses safety materials, education and awareness campaigns, and programs to inform citizens on the information they need be aware of to support a safer transportation network in Wisconsin. Together, with the help of citizens and communities, we can improve the safety of our transportation system.

WisDOT’s safety materials

The department developed Wisconsin Motorists’ Handbook to inform the users of the rules of the road (Wisconsin state laws and administrative rules) and provide important safety tips. Other materials include the Wisconsin Motorcyclist Handbook, Bicycle Safety webpage and the Pedestrian Safety webpage.

Education and awareness campaigns

The department disperses and creates educational content regarding safe travel throughout the state. WisDOT’s “Zero in Wisconsin," “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over,” "Buckle Up Phone Down," and “Click It or Ticket” messaging campaigns inform drivers to the risks of impaired driving, not wearing a seat belt, and driving while distracted. Participation in Operation Lifesaver provides an opportunity for WisDOT and the pubic to work with railroads to warn of the dangers associated with trespassing on railroad tracks.

The department coordinates with Safe Kids Wisconsin and Children’s Wisconsin to manage the Wisconsin Child Passenger Safety Program, which provides safety training and resources on child passenger safety for parents and caregivers.

WisDOT also works with numerous technical colleges and private companies through the Wisconsin Motorcycle Safety Program, which strives to improve motorcyclists’ training and education as well as to motivate motorists to share the road.

On the roads, our State Traffic Management Center provides real-time information about congestion and crashes via variable message signs throughout the state.

Each day, nearly 400 State Patrol troopers and inspectors encourage and support safe travel on our state highways and interstates. Whether stopping impaired drivers, ensuring safe vehicle speeds, or working at our Safety and Weight Enforcement Facilities to ensure trucks comply with laws and regulations, State Patrol is committed to making the transportation system as safe as possible. In addition to patrol cars, State Patrol uses aircraft to help with traffic enforcement and motorcycles to provide a highly visible law enforcement presence.

What is my role in traffic safety?

There are many things you can do to keep our roads safer:

• Make sure all occupants are always buckled up when you choose to drive.
• Children under the age of 8 must be in an approved safety seat.
• Being sober is the safest way to drive.
• Obey posted speed limits. Speeding tickets are expensive and, more importantly, speeding exponentially increase your risk or a pedestrian’s risk of dying with every mile per hour increase. Remember that posted speed limits are for ideal driving conditions.
• Move over, or slow down to create a safe zone for law enforcement or emergency vehicles on the side of the road. Visit WisDOT's page on emergency response area safety to learn more.

The Wisconsin State Patrol highlights one law each month to remind and inform the public about different aspects of traffic safety. To find out about this month's law, visit Wisconsin State Patrol's Law of the Month.

WisDOT’s advisory committees are crucial to improving transportation safety across the state. The department works with community members, organizations, researchers, and business leaders in our committees to improve decision making and transportation safety across the state.

Wisconsin Automated Vehicle External Advisory Committee (WAVE)

Connected and Automated Vehicle (CAV) technologies are expected to have a wide-ranging impact on transportation in Wisconsin. WisDOT formed the WAVE Advisory Committee to gather stakeholder input and advice on CAV-related planning priorities, implementation policies, and impacts on the state’s transportation system.

Wisconsin Non-Drivers Advisory Committee (WiNDAC)

WiNDAC is an advisory forum to discuss transportation mobility, safety and access for Wisconsin’s non-driving populations.

This diverse committee identifies transportation barriers for non-drivers and develops recommendations to reduce these challenges and improve mobility for all travelers in Wisconsin.

Freight Advisory Committee (FAC)

The FAC informs the department on issues that impact freight mobility and provides a voice for the freight sector on the development of freight-related policies, processes and projects.

Motorcycle Safety Advisory Council (MoSAC)

MoSAC advises WisDOT on motorcycle safety issues and promotes the safest possible riding environment by sharing best practices and leading the nation in motorcycle safety innovation.

Collectively, these partnerships improve WisDOT's decision-making processes regarding the construction, maintenance, and innovation of Wisconsin’s transportation system in a manner that relies on cooperation and collaboration.

Safety is a core component of WisDOT planning efforts. We produce a Strategic Highway Safety Plan, a statewide comprehensive plan that provides a synchronized framework for reducing traffic fatalities, injuries, and crashes over a three-year period. We also incorporate safety into our State Airport System Plan, Rail Plan, Bicycle Plan, Pedestrian Plan, Freight Plan, and our long-range multimodal plan, Connect 2050.

WisDOT is a data-driven department and is committed to improving transportation safety and awareness for everyone who uses the transportation system. Data enables more effective decision making to plan, design, construct, maintain, and enforce safe use of Wisconsin's transportation system. WisDOT uses data to develop, track, and meet state and federal safety performance metrics.

Predictive analysis and emerging technologies

The department uses predictive analysis and modeling, which is the process of extracting information from data and using it to predict trends and behavior. This allows us to increase law enforcement visibility, decrease vehicle crashes, improve pedestrian and bicyclist safety and inform our decisions.

WisDOT uses proven and emerging technologies in road design and construction to maximize safety and ensure a long lifespan for public bridges, pedestrian and bike facilities, transit infrastructure and roadways in a cost-effective manner. This includes use of innovative interchange and intersection design, employment of high friction surface treatments on bridges and curves, and numerous other data analyses and safety engineering tools.

Tracking WisDOT’s safety goals

WisDOT keeps track of five key metrics: Mobility, Accountability, Preservation, Safety and Service (MAPSS). WisDOT tracks outcomes: traffic fatalities, serious traffic injuries, traffic crashes and seat belt use.

Our interactive website detailing all MAPSS’s reports and statistics can be found here.

Enforcement’s role in data

The Community Maps system provides a statewide map of all police reported motor vehicle crashes from 2010 to the current year, with fatal crashes included from 2001. Community Maps supports WisDOT’s traffic safety planning, resource allocation, and decision making.

On the enforcement side, Wisconsin State Patrol works with other law enforcement agencies to process citations and traffic crash reports in Traffic and Criminal Software (TraCS), which supports crash data collection and analysis. In addition to law enforcement, Community Maps is utilized by planning organizations, researchers, WI’s Traffic Safety Commissions at the county-level, and many others to better understand the locations of Wisconsin’s motor vehicle crashes and their causes.

WisDOT manages and distributes funding opportunities from both federal and state government sources. The availability of these funds, combined with transportation partners who utilize the funds to improve our roadways, advances WisDOT’s focus on achieving a safe transportation network.

Specific funding programs and information

Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA)

IIJA, commonly known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) is a sizeable investment in state transportation systems. WisDOT is working to maximize this opportunity to improve Wisconsin’s infrastructure, public safety, innovation, and the future of our system.

BIL funding comes to the state through state programs and discretionary grants:

• State programs - For information on programs designed to specifically support local governments and municipalities.
• Discretionary grants - Federally administered and require a grant application process through the U.S. Department of Transportation to receives funds for local primarily local governments and municipalities.

The interactive map shows where federal discretionary grants were awarded to WisDOT, Wisconsin communities, municipalities and Tribes.

The Bureau of Transportation Safety (BOTS)

BOTS is Wisconsin's State Highway Safety Office that administers federally funded overtime traffic safety grants to local law enforcement agencies each year. The overtime grants are awarded to agencies through data driven targeting processes. The targeting process reviews crash data from the previous year to determine what areas have a traffic safety problem. The process is used to determine traffic safety concerns such as alcohol use, speed, and lack of seat belt use.

BOTS Regional Program Managers will contact law enforcement agencies if they are targeted for a grant and provides grants to agencies that are not targeted but are part of a task force in their area.

BOTS is responsible for the management of National Highway Traffic Safety Administration grants, which provide funding to address the areas below. Grants applications can be submitted by communities, non-profit organizations, local governments, etc.

• Occupant protection
• State traffic safety information systems
• Impaired driving
• Speeding
• Motorcyclist safety
• Non-motorized safety (bicycle and pedestrian)

Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP)

HSIP funds highway safety projects at sites with a high crash history. The emphasis is on low-cost options that can be implemented quickly.

The overall objective of HSIP is to continually develop and implement stand-alone safety projects designed to reduce the number and severity of crashes on all streets and highways (state and local). The federal funding ratio for HSIP funds is usually 90%, requiring a 10% match of state and/or local funds.

WisDOT Safety Funding Opportunities Webinar

WisDOT hosted a webinar covering HSIP program eligibility requirements, application deadlines and match requirements for WisDOT's Highway Safety Improvement Program and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The webinar also covered the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and resources that have been developed to assist with federal discretionary grant submissions.

The webinar recording can be found here. The presentation slides can be viewed here.