WisDOT, Waukesha County promote work zone safety ahead of summer travel season

The summer travel season is fast approaching and Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) officials today joined the Waukesha County Department of Public Works (DPW) and industry partners at a news conference in Brookfield to stress the importance of work zone safety. Hundreds of work zones are active every day across Wisconsin on local streets, county highways or state roads. Whether it’s maintenance operations, roadway reconstruction projects or utility and electrician work, safe driving behavior is critical in all work zones no matter the size or location.

“Together with industry partners and other agencies, we are delivering hundreds of highway projects each year to improve our communities and the lives of people throughout our state,” WisDOT Southeast Region Deputy Director Emlynn Grisar said at the event. “We owe it to these workers to keep safety front of mind when behind the wheel – especially as crews and equipment are often within feet of traffic. Please buckle up, slow down and watch the road ahead. Safe drivers create safe work zones.”

In Wisconsin, work zones include highway construction and rolling maintenance operations as well as emergency response, county or municipal projects and utility work along local roads.

“Highway work zones are more than just construction sites, they’re workplaces where every worker deserves to return home safely,” said Waukesha County DPW Director Allison Bussler. “Please drive cautiously through these zones and be mindful of the dedicated individuals striving to improve our roads for everyone’s safety.”

Preliminary data shows 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.

Today’s event held at a park and ride lot adjacent to the US 18/Bluemound Road project in Brookfield 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. Texting 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.go​v/BUPD​​.

Visit WisDOT’s work zone safety website for more tips and information.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.