AASHTO Journal - Wisconsin DOT Holds Third Annual ‘Safer Together’ Event

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation recently hosted its third annual “Safer Together Community Event” in Rennebohm Park in Madison, WI, to highlight the many partnerships and safety initiatives the agency undertakes with various partners to improve safety for all transportation users statewide.

[Above photo by Wisconsin DOT]

The event featured children’s activities, educational booths, and demonstrations showcasing the agency’s safety technologies and programs. Activities included a “meet and greet” with a State Patrol K-9 team, demonstrations of automated vehicles, drone inspections, work zone traffic control devices, school bus safety, driver education information, and much more.

“We’re excited to show off the great work of the Wisconsin DOT team and the many ways we’re keeping safety for the people of Wisconsin top of mind every day,” said Kristina Boardman, Wisconsin DOT secretary, in a statement.

“Our mission is to improve transportation safety by focusing on all modes of transportation, from the officers out enforcing traffic laws to the DMV [Department of Motor Vehicle] examiners preparing the next generation of drivers and the planners developing engineering strategies to prevent crashes,” she added. “We’re all working together to find solutions to keep everyone safe while traveling in Wisconsin.”

“Our ongoing collaboration with transportation partners is crucial to help us gain a better understanding of how our work impacts people in Wisconsin,” noted Lea Collins-Worachek, administrator of the agency’s Division of Budget & Strategic Initiatives. “The ‘Safer Together Community Event’ demonstrates how everyone has a shared responsibility to reduce crashes and injuries.”

[Editor’s note: The agency also hosted the Governor’s Conference on Highway Safety in Wisconsin Dells, WI, as well; an annual event hosted by Wisconsin DOT and its Division of State Patrol Bureau of Transportation Safety and Technology Services that focuses on implementing and improving community and statewide efforts to achieve zero preventable fatalities on Wisconsin roads.]

The agency highlighted several safety accomplishments it has achieved in recent years, include enhanced signage to prevent wrong way driving, heightened public awareness messaging on the “Buckle Up Phone Down” safe driving campaign, new safety research to prevent reckless driving and improve pedestrian visibility, and expanded driver education funding.

Wisconsin DOT noted at the event that its ongoing safety goals include a work zone safety pilot program, enforcing the expansion of the state’s “Move Over” law, collaboration to improve highway-rail crossings, updates to the motorcycle rider exam, worker roadside visibility improvements, and continued public safety communications.

Other transportation safety organizations joined the event to illustrate the collaboration required to meet transportation safety goals across all levels of government, community organizations and the public.

Nelson’s Bus Service joined a State Patrol inspector to talk with families about the importance of school bus safety as kids get ready to go back to school.

Additional transportation partners in attendance included Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Railroads, University of Wiscosnin-Madison TOPS Lab, Dane County Sheriff’s Office, Madison Metro Transit, Middleton Fire Department, Children’s Wisconsin and SafeKids Wisconsin, AAA, AARP, Operation Lifesaver, Wisconsin Bike Federation, MG&E, Wisconsin Earth Movers Association, and the Wisconsin Asphalt Pavement Association.