Go through work zones in a slow, safe manner

Construction season is approaching, which means crews will be out, fixing and building roads, and bridges. Drivers have one of the biggest roles in keeping work zones safe for construction crews.

The Wisconsin State Patrol’s April Law of the Month, encourages drivers to help create a safe space for crews, who work on and alongside the road.

“Construction crews and county highway personnel often work within feet of traffic,” said superintendent Tim Carnahan. “These people need to be able to rely on drivers to do their part, to ensure a safe work zone.”

The Wisconsin State Patrol is working to combat unsafe driving in work zones, with the help of troopers on the road and overhead, with the air support unit. Last year, there were over 7,000 citations and warnings issued for traffic law violations in work zones.

Speeding, following too closely and distracted driving, cause most work zone crashes. These crashes are preventable. According to preliminary data for Wisconsin, there were 2,174 work zone crashes in 2024, resulting in 10 fatalities and 779 injuries. On average, that is one work zone crash every three hours.

Driving safely and slowly through work zones will protect workers, and motorists. Wisconsin’s laws further protect road workers, with penalties for traffic violations doubling in work zones.

The following can keep work zones safe: • Buckle up, phone down, eliminate distractions. State law prohibits the use of hand-held electronic devices in work zones, except to report an emergency. Looking down for just 5 seconds, at 55 mph, takes a driver’s eyes off the road for the length of a football field.

• Plan ahead. Leave early or take an alternate route, when construction is anticipated. Know before going, with 511 Wisconsin. Download the 511 Wisconsin app or call 5-1-1, for the latest travel information across the state.

• Expect the unexpected. Speed limits may be reduced, traffic lanes may be shifted, and crews may work on or near the road.

• Keep a distance. Rear-end collisions are common in work zones, so give everyone extra space.

• Be patient. If there aren’t any workers seen, that doesn’t mean they’re not there. Always be watchful for workers and vehicles throughout the work zone.

• Move over or slow down for stopped emergency vehicles with warning lights activated. The Move Over Law requires drivers to move out of the lane closest to a maintenance worker or emergency responder. If it’s not possible to move over, slow down.

• Use the zipper merge strategy when lanes are reduced; take alternating turns to merge.