WisDOT, Marathon County Highway Department urge drivers to slow down in work zones

​Highway workers are often within feet of traffic to maintain and improve Wisconsin roads

​​​​​​​Release date: August 22, 2023

Dozens of construction projects are underway across the state, including pavement replacement work on WIS 29 near Edgar in Marathon County. Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) North Central Region Director Matt Bronson today joined the Wisconsin State Patrol, Marathon County Highway Department, community leaders and industry partners at a news conference in Edgar to emphasize the message of safe, responsible driving – especially in work zones.

“Our staff at the Wisconsin DOT work closely with local and county highway departments, contractors and others to provide work zones that are as safe as possible,” WisDOT North Central Region Director Matt Bronson said. “Even with the best signing and marking, work zones can be challenging areas with reduced lane widths, uneven surfaces, shifting lanes, and other hazards. We need drivers to slow down and pay attention in work zones. Your lives and the lives of these highway workers depend on it.”

Data shows more than 2,000 crashes were recorded in Wisconsin work zones in 2022, resulting in eight deaths and more than 650 injuries. In Wisconsin, work zones include highway construction and rolling maintenance operations as well as emergency response, municipal projects and utility work along local roads.

“Safety is our number one priority of the department; at the end of the day, we want everyone to be able to go home to their families and loved ones,” Marathon County Highway Commissioner Jim Griesbach said. “Please treat everyone in a work zone as if was your family member in that work zone.”

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 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 the Marathon County Highway Department facility in Edgar 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.
• Leave the phone alone. Texting while driving is illegal statewide and talking on a hand-held mobile device is illegal in work zones.
• Move over, or slow down, when you see workers and vehicles with flashing lights along the highway. Wisconsin's Move Over Law applies to maintenance operations as well as emergency response units.
• Buckle Up, Phone Down. Take the 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.

​Visit wisconsindot.gov and search "​​​​work zone" for more tips and information.