Work zone safety is Law of the Month

Wisconsin State Patrol is turning the spotlight on work zone safety.

Construction will begin once warmer months arise, and that means motorists need to watch for work crews and equipment.

“It’s never too early to look for orange barrels,” WisDOT Secretary Craig Thompson said. “From big projects to pothole repairs, you can expect to see construction and maintenance workers out in traffic all season. Drive to protect them. Buckle up, phone down.”

There have been more than 12,000 crashes in work zones in the last five years. Those incidents led to 61 deaths and more than 4,700 injuries. Most crashes were caused by speeding, tailgating and distracted driving.

 Cell phone use is the most common factor in cases of distracted driving. Wisconsin law forbids texting while driving, but it’s also illegal to use any handheld device in work zones. Also, under a new law, it’s also illegal to use handheld devices while traveling around emergency response vehicles with flashing lights.

“Work zones require a driver’s full and complete attention. Barrels, lane shifts, and traffic backups can appear suddenly. Keep your eyes on the road and move over or slow down to protect construction crews and emergency responders,” Wisconsin State Patrol Superintendent Anthony Burrell said.

Remember the Move Over Law: If first responders and maintenance workers are on site, you need to pull into a different lane. If this isn’t possible, slow down.

 Also note that fines double for violations in work zones.