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WisDOT Radio Newsline

May 10, 2013
Governor Scott Walker has declared Wednesday, May 15, as "Operation Lifesaver Awareness Day." It highlights the dangers of highway/railroad grade crossings and trespassing on railroad property. According to the Federal Railroad Administration, motor vehicle crashes at highway/railroad grade crossings resulted in four fatalities and 12 injuries in Wisconsin last year. Two people were killed as a result of pedestrian/trespasser incidents on or near railroad tracks in 2012. State railroad safety officials ask motorists to be extremely careful whenever crossing railroad tracks. Rail lines and rail yards are private property where trespassers can not only be ticketed, but seriously injured or killed. Audio

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Next week (May 13 to 17) is National Bike to Work Week and communities across Wisconsin are planning special events including Eau Claire, the Fox Cities, Sturgeon Bay, Milwaukee, Madison, West Bend and La Crosse. It's estimated about five-percent of Wisconsin commuters bike to work during peak months. The Wisconsin DOT supports bike travel by helping communities plan and develop bicycle-friendly facilities, along with highway-related improvements such as paved shoulders. Wisconsin continues to be ranked among the top-10 “bicycle friendly” states in the nation.

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The Wisconsin State Patrol's Law of the Month for May is a stern reminder that making a U-turn using a median crossover between interstate or other freeway lanes is not only illegal, but dangerous. When a motorist slows down to illegally turn on a median crossover, motorists traveling behind at highway speeds may not be able to stop in time. Crashes can also occur when the offending vehicle attempts to merge back into traffic. The only safe and legal option for turning around is to proceed to the next exit and use the off and on-ramps. Along with risking a serious crash, violators also face a fine of $263. Audio

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There’s a silver lining to a tragic crash in Dunn County that claimed the life of a Minnesota truck driver. Two semis collided along I-94 about 1 a.m. on May 2 resulting in the death of one of the drivers. It was later learned the driver often traveled with a German Shepherd that was now missing. Nearly two days later, a Wisconsin State Trooper noticed animal tracks along the Interstate. The tracks led to the dog, which was found about a mile from the crash site and was in relatively good shape despite the crash and spending about two days on the loose. The dog has been returned to the family.

For more information, contact:
Rob Miller, WisDOT Office of Public Affairs
(608) 266-2405, robert.miller@dot.wi.gov

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Questions about the content of this page:
Office of Public Affairs, opa.exec@dot.wi.gov
Last modified: May 9, 2013