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Newsfax audio releases - November 21, 2008

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Listed below are MP3 audio files and the text of actualities and wraps associated with WisDOT's Radio NewsFax.

The start of the deer hunting and Thanksgiving holiday travel period is upon us. Dennis Hughes, Bureau of Transportation Safety, tells when motorists can expect to see heavier traffic during the Thanksgiving weekend and provides some safety tips for travelers.

Cut 1: Dennis Hughes, Bureau of Transportation Safety, Department of Transportation  (298 KB/19 seconds)

"We typically see several waves of traffic during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving is usually pretty busy. And of course, the Friday after Thanksgiving will see a lot of congestion around shopping areas. Next weekend will also have a Packer game on Sunday in Green Bay, and that will add to the number of travelers on the road."

Cut 2: Dennis Hughes, Bureau of Transportation Safety, Department of Transportation  (296 KB/19 seconds)

"We certainly want everyone to make it home safely, so if you're going to be traveling, give yourself plenty of extra time so that you're not rushed. And follow the usual safety advice: That is, don't drink and drive, don't drive while tired, keep your speeds down and allow plenty of space between vehicles. And, of course, stay alert for changing road and weather conditions."

Cut 3: Wrap with Hughes  (799 KB/51 seconds)

Deer hunters, traveling families, shoppers, and football fans will be frequent travelers over the next week to ten days. The start of the deer hunting and holiday seasons are upon us. The Bureau of Transportation Safety's Dennis Hughes says motorists should be expecting a lot of company when traveling on the state's highways…

"We typically see several waves of traffic during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving is usually pretty busy. And of course, the Friday after Thanksgiving will see a lot of congestion around shopping areas. Next weekend will also have a Packer game on Sunday in Green Bay, and that will add to the number of travelers on the road."

Hughes said travelers should allow extra time to get to their destinations to allow for heavier traffic and changing weather and road conditions. And he reminded motorists not to drive drunk or while tired, keep speeds down, and allow plenty of room between vehicles. This is Mike Goetzman reporting.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation is installing some new signs along the Madison Beltline. Matt Rauch, Bureau of Highway Operations sign coordinator, says the department is looking for the public's reaction to the new signs and he explains the benefits the public is expectged to receive from them.

Cut 4: Matt Rauch, Bureau of Highway Operations, Department of Transportation  (341 KB/22 seconds)

"We're putting up 44 new highway guide signs — the big green signs along the side of freeways and expressways — as part of a pilot project to gauge public reaction to them. We're trying to determine of the signs, with a thinner Clearview font, do, in fact, provide crisper readability for motorists. If we receive positive public reaction, we'll consider using the font when we replace guide signs across the state."

Cut 5: Matt Rauch, Bureau of Highway Operations, Department of Transportation  (277 KB/18 seconds)

"Clearview fonts are said to provide enhanced readability. That gives motorists the ability to read signs from a greater distance than current signage. It gives them additional reaction time. It is also supposed to provide improved visibility for older drivers at night because sign lettering doesn't get as washed out by headlight reflectivity."

Cut 6: Wrap with Rauch  (696 KB/44 seconds)

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation is installing some new signage along the Madison Beltline. Bureau of Highway Operations Sign Coordinator, Matt Rauch, says the department is interested in what the public thinks about them…

"We're putting up 44 new highway guide signs — the big green ones along the side of freeways and expressways — as part of a pilot project to gauge public reaction to them. We're trying to determine if the signs, with a thinner Clearview font, do, in fact, provide crisper readability for motorists. If we receive positive public reaction, we'll consider using the font when we replace guide signs across the state."

Rauch says the signs are also supposed to provide improved visibility for older drivers at night because the sign lettering doesn't get as washed out by headlight reflectivity. This is Mike Goetzman reporting.

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Last modified: November 20, 2008