Governor Doyle proclaims April 7-11 Work Zone Awareness Week

April 8, 2008

Wisconsin Department of Transportation unveils new work zone safety campaign

Governor Jim Doyle has proclaimed the week of April 7-11 as Work Zone Awareness Week in Wisconsin. It coincides with National Work Zone Awareness Week. In his proclamation, Governor Doyle noted that on average, Wisconsin annually suffers nearly 2,000 crashes in work zones that injure 900 people and kill 11.

"It only takes a moment of inattention or impatience to begin the series of events that lead to severe injuries or the loss of life," Governor Doyle said. "That's why it's so important that whenever we see signs of work zones ahead that we slow down, put away the distractions, and stay alert to the conditions facing us through our windshields."

As part of a ceremony at the State Capitol today (4/8/08) commemorating those who have been killed and injured in work zone crashes, Wisconsin Department of Transportation Secretary Frank Busalacchi unveiled a new public awareness media campaign. The campaign includes messages to get people to pay attention in work zones and to abide by the state's "Move Over" law, which requires motorists to move to an adjacent lane, if possible, or slow down when approaching a utility, maintenance, or emergency vehicle parked on the side of the road with its lights flashing.

Winnebago County Highway Commissioner John Haese also spoke at the event about the day two of his workers were killed in 2006. Bess Crowley, who owns a firm that had contracted to do work on Interstate 94 spoke about the death of her employee, Peter Messerlie, in 1998 when a vehicle entered his worksite, struck and killed him. Mary Messerlie, Peter's mother, noted in a statement read by Ms. Crowley at the event that, "A driver who had stopped to drink, got in his car, went through the work zone area and hit our son. Our son's death was a terrible tragedy for our family, but if any good can come from our loss, we'd like other families to remember our story and pay attention when they are driving in work zones, and especially, not drive after drinking."

Several families that have experienced the pain of work zone crashes firsthand also were invited to attend the event. Two victims that survived being struck included Milwaukee County Sheriff's Deputy Tim Johnson who suffered severe head injuries that almost cost his life and West Allis worker Scott Hansen, who now walks with the help of two prosthetic legs after he was struck by a vehicle that entered his work zone and pinned him between his truck and the car. Both are featured in three of the four new work zone safety announcements and a 10-minute educational video being released by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation this month. The announcements and video are strong and very emotional, designed to get people to think about their actions when approaching and driving through work zones.

As part of Work Zone Awareness Week in Wisconsin, the Capitol dome will be lit with orange floodlights at night. A display will also be available for viewing at the Capitol during the week.

For more information, contact:
Michael Goetzman, Office of Public Affairs
(608) 266-2520, michael.goetzman@dot.state.wi.us