Next Week is National Work Zone Awareness Week
Friday, April 8th, 2022 -- 11:01 AM
Gov. Tony Evers has proclaimed next week (April 11-15) as National Work Zone Awareness Week in Wisconsin.
Since 2000, National Work Zone Awareness Week has marked the start of construction season across our country, promoting road worker safety and cautious driving in work zones.
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation reminds drivers of the importance of safe driving in work zones as the 2022 construction season gets underway. Cell phone use is one of the most common factors in distracted driving crashes.
Wisconsin law prohibits texting while driving on any road. It is also illegal to use a hand-held mobile device in work zones. A new state law signed by Gov. Evers in December 2021 expands this ban to areas surrounding emergency response vehicles with flashing lights.
In Wisconsin, work zones include highway construction and rolling maintenance operations as well as emergency response, municipal projects and utility work along local roads.
Between April 2021 and November 2021, there were more than eight work zone crashes daily statewide, or one crash every three hours. From 2017 to 2021, Wisconsin work zones have seen 12,441 crashes causing 62 deaths and 4,780 injuries. The majority of crash victims are drivers and passengers with speed, tailgating and distracted driving as common factors.
How can people help? Drive safely, avoid distractions and obey posted speed limits. Be courteous and patient. Set a good example for others on the road. Leave the phone alone. Texting and driving is illegal statewide and talking on a hand-held mobile device is illegal in work zones.
Slow down when you see workers and, if possible, provide additional space by moving over. Wisconsin’s Move Over Law applies to maintenance operations as well as emergency response units.
Take the Buckle Up, Phone Down pledge at wisconsindot.gov/BUPD and share your commitment with others. Participants are encouraged to share a thumbs up/thumbs down photo on social media using the hashtag #BuckleUpPhoneDown then challenge friends, family and coworkers to do the same. Show support for work zone safety with the social media hashtags #DriveLikeYouWorkHere, #NWZAW, #WorkZoneSafety, or #Orange4Safety (but please never text or tweet and drive).
Participate in “Go Orange Day” on Wednesday, April 13 by wearing orange in support of highway safety. (Tag it on social media with #Orange4Safety and #GoOrangeDay.)
New this year, there will be a nationwide moment of silence on Friday, April 15 for people killed in work zone incidents. Visit wisconsindot.gov and search “work zone” for more tips and information.
Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.