Dodge County Officials Urge Work Zone Safety During National Work Zone Awareness Week

(Juneau) This week is National Work Zone Awareness Week and Dodge County officials are urging drivers to pay attention while out on the roads.

The county’s Highway Commissioner Brian Field says this year’s theme is “You play a role in work zone safety. Work with us.” The week is sponsored by federal, state, and local transportation officials to draw attention to the safety needs of road workers during construction season.

According to data from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, over the past five years there have been more than 11,500 crashes in Wisconsin work zones causing 63 deaths and more than 4,300 injuries.

Wednesday is “Go Orange Day,” and the public is asked to wear something orange in support of highway safety.

Field says they ask everyone on the road to eliminate distractions and be mindful of their speed, adding that even in areas with reduced speed limits things can happen in an instant.

In Wisconsin, work zones include major highway construction and rehabilitation, maintenance, emergency response, utility work, municipal projects and more – any time in which there are flashing lights, signs, barrels or workers on the road.