Nationwide effort underway to prevent all traffic deaths

The WisDOT reinforced its commitment to safety this month, by joining 160 organizations in the national Allies in Action campaign. The effort is part of the USDOT’s National Roadway Safety Strategy, to eliminate crash injuries and fatalities.

“Too many people are dying on our roads every day, across the country and here in Wisconsin,” said WisDOT secretary Craig Thompson. “We must work together to help the nation recognize this is a crisis that must be addressed with urgency.”

As part of the campaign, the WisDOT is committed to take specific action to reduce traffic fatalities in 2024. That includes expanding the Safety-First Initiative, which began in 2023, to enhance the agency’s knowledge of safety- related best practices. The initiative explores research to leverage new technologies for data gathering and engineering countermeasures. The WisDOT will also develop new educational opportunities to inform and collaborate with the public, to encourage safer habits among all road users. The agency will build on major safety campaigns within the Zero in Wisconsin brand, including Buckle Up Phone Down, Control Your Drive, and Click It or Ticket, and update web resources for the public.

In addition, WisDOT is expanding the use of centerline rumble strips, as a proven safety countermeasure that can significantly reduce fatal and injury crashes on two-lane rural roads.

“These actions are a key part of our vision for a safer Wisconsin,” said Thompson. “We are building on our strong foundation of safety strategies – education, enforcement and engineering – but we cannot do this alone. We all have a responsibility to keep each other safe on every trip behind the wheel.