APPLETON, Wis. — State officials are urging drivers to “respect the zone, so we all get home.”
WisDOT Deputy Secretary Scott Lawry joined Wisconsin State Patrol, Wisconsin Transportation Builders Association, law enforcement officials and industry partners in Appleton on Tuesday to promote safe, responsible driving in work zones.
Speeding, tailgating and distracted driving are the leading causes of work zone crashes in Wisconsin.
“Everybody that is out here on these projects wants to go home each night,” said Lawry. “It’s somebody’s mom, dad, sister, or brother. They’re just trying to do their job and they want to get home to their loved ones. That’s what everybody wants.”
According to WisDOT data, more than 2,150 crashes were recorded in Wisconsin work zones in 2024, resulting in 10 deaths (including two construction workers) and more than 750 injuries.
“Every flashing light, every orange barrel, and every warning sign in a work zone is there for a reason: to protect a person trying to get home at the end of the day,” said Captain Nate Borman with Outagamie County Sheriff’s Office. “This isn’t just about avoiding a ticket; it’s about making sure that highway workers, emergency responders, and our fellow drivers all make it home safely.”
Officials gathered to promote work zone safety as construction work is underway on the multi-year Interstate 41 expansion project between Appleton and De Pere.
