Fond du Lac County Officials remind drivers to drive safely in work zones this construction season. Fond du Lac County Highway Commissioner Tom Janke urges people to drive carefully in highway work zones as the start of maintenance and construction season begins throughout Wisconsin. As the weather turns, work zones will be more prevalent putting more highway workers and drivers at risk. In 2013, the most recent year in which data is available, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation reported that there were nearly 1,600 work zone crashes in Wisconsin alone, resulting in 458 injuries and nine fatalities. In 2015, the construction season was marred by three separate tragedies in which Wisconsin County Highway workers were killed within work zones. In 2003, Fond du Lac County Highway Department employee Dennis Roeseler was killed on Interstate 41 while working within a work zone. As part of the County Trunk Highway VV (Pioneer Road) underpass project, the route that Dennis was assigned to, a memorial was constructed in his honor along with all highway workers who have been killed while working in work zones. National Work Zone Awareness Week, sponsored by federal, state and local transportation officials each April, draws attention to the safety needs of road workers during construction season. Generally, crashes occur when drivers speed through a work zone, do not pay attention to changing road conditions, run into other vehicles or highway equipment, or drive off the road completely. Due to the importance of this week, Fond du Lac County has passed a resolution proclaiming April 11th through 15th as Work Zone Awareness Week. “There are numerous state, county and local highway projects starting up throughout Fond du Lac County which can put highway workers within inches of live traffic,” said Fond du Lac County Highway Commissioner Tom Janke. “By following the rules of the road in work zones, we can keep people safe during National Work Zone Awareness Week and all year long. Please remember that our Highway workers are performing their duties in order to provide for a safe and efficient transportation system. They are community members, spouses, parents, and friends within our County and deserve to go home safe every night.” While typical construction work zones are prevalent throughout the county and state, there are also significant number of maintenance operations that may be short-term or moving operations. Drivers are reminded of the state’s “Move Over, Slow Down” law which requires drivers whenever possible to safely shift lanes or slow down in order to provide a "safety zone" for a squad car, ambulance, fire truck, tow truck, utility vehicle, or highway maintenance vehicle that is stopped on the side of a road with its warning lights flashing. Also, note recently passed legislation that now prohibits the use of a handheld cellphone while driving in an active work zone where workers are engaged in highway maintenance or construction. Fond du Lac County will be partnering up with the Sheriff’s Office year round to ensure that both our workers and the traveling public are safe within work zones. Fond du Lac County Highway Department has another busy year of maintenance and construction projects planned throughout this year. Additional information on specific projects can be found on their website. Any questions may be directed to the Fond du Lac Highway Department at 920-929-3485. The Fond du Lac Highway Department workers and families thank you in advance for slowing down and driving attentively through our work zones.
