Photo: WisDOT
The start of spring means road construction crews will be back on the job soon across Wisconsin.
With the orange barrels likely to be a common sight for many drivers over the next several months, Steve Olson with the state Department of Transportation says they need to be aware of the dangers they can face in construction zones. Olson says drivers need to be prepared to slow down when they enter a work zone, even if workers are not present. Sudden lane shifts, vehicles entering the roadway, and quickly stopping traffic can all result in a crash if drivers are not paying attention.
While the DOT is concerned about the safety of those working on road construction projects, Olson notes that most crashes and injuries in work zones involve drivers. There were over 2,200 work zone crashes in the state last year, killing 12 people and injuring 832 others.
Olson says drivers should always observe the posted speed limits, pay attention to the road, and put down their cell phone.