Work Zone Awareness needed all season

April 30, 2012

To help prevent traffic crashes in road construction work zones that injure and kill motorists and workers, Governor Scott Walker proclaimed the week of April 23-27 as Work Zone Awareness Week in Wisconsin. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation, along with the Division of State Patrol and the St. Croix County Highway Department want to remind motorists they need to remain alert throughout the entire construction season.

Last year, there were more than 1,700 work zone crashes in Wisconsin that caused eight deaths and nearly 750 injuries, 71 of which were serious, according to preliminary statistics from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT). Just last week in St. Croix County, two crashes occurred near the newly created work-zone on I-94 and WIS 65. Several cars received property damage and some minor injuries were also reported.
"Rear-end collisions are the most frequent type of crash in a work zone," says WisDOT NW Region State Patrol Commander Jeff Frenette. "Motorists need to be prepared to slow down and/or stop in work zones. That means keeping your eyes on the road at all times."

In addition, construction and maintenance workers are at a great risk of being hit because they are working directly alongside the travelling public. "Our maintenance crews are finding themselves in dangerous situations when motorists are on their cell phones or just not paying attention," says St. Croix County Highway Commissioner Tim Ramberg.

Because of the risks to motorists and workers, traffic fines are double in work zones.

For more information, contact:
Communications Manager Chris Ouellette, WisDOT NW Region
(715) 833-9814, chris.ouellette@dot.wi.gov

Captain Jeffrey Frenette, Wisconsin State Patrol
(715) 839-3800

Commissioner Tim Ramberg, St. Croix County Highway Department
(715) 796-2227