A new law could make sanitation workers safer in Wisconsin. State Representative John Jagler proposed the legislation, inspired by sanitation worker and Marine Corps veteran Mark Friend suffered serious injuries in an accident in Stoughton in January.
“This law does exactly what Mark asked me to do a year ago,” Jagler said Monday. “It simply doubles the fines for any moving violations going around a garbage truck.” Ironically, Jagler met Friend and heard his request before Friend’s accident – which resulted in the loss of a leg.
“Today at the bill signing, with his prosthetic leg, he was able to stand up out of his wheelchair and take a couple steps, Jagler said. “He shook the governor’s hand and thanked him for signing the bill.” Governor Scott Walker signed the bill in Watertown.
Jagler doesn’t expect “a great slew of tickets” to result from the new law. He said public awareness in the message “slow down to get around” will hopefully make for safer conditions.