MONROE - The time for spring road maintenance is here, and the head of the Green County Highway Department is imploring drivers to slow down and move over when they see crews working along the side of the road.
"I think every person with a driver's license should be required to work in a work zone for one day. Then they would understand why we ask them to slow down and move over," Jeff Wunschel said.
Wunschel is reminding area drivers of the state's "Move Over Law," passed by legislators in 2001. It requires drivers to move over or slow down if they come upon law enforcement, highway maintenance vehicles or tow trucks stopped along the road with their warning lights flashing.
Not obeying the law can result in a three-point deduction on the driver's license and a $249 fine. If there is a crash and someone is hurt or killed, the punishment is up to seven years in prison.
Each year nationally, hundreds of highway maintenance workers and emergency responders are injured or killed by passing motorists, according to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.
Fortunately, the Green County Highway Department hasn't had any recent injuries among its employees caused by passing motorists.
But there have been "several close calls and near misses when motorists ignore our work zones signs and flag persons," Wunschel said.
Now is the prime time to get into the habit of watching out for highway crews and other workers. As the snow melts, county highway maintenance crews are beginning the annual process of replacing signs, repairing potholes, guardrails and other damage that occurred over the winter.
"We would greatly appreciate everyone's help to make our work zones a safe place to work," Wunschel said.
"I think every person with a driver's license should be required to work in a work zone for one day. Then they would understand why we ask them to slow down and move over," Jeff Wunschel said.
Wunschel is reminding area drivers of the state's "Move Over Law," passed by legislators in 2001. It requires drivers to move over or slow down if they come upon law enforcement, highway maintenance vehicles or tow trucks stopped along the road with their warning lights flashing.
Not obeying the law can result in a three-point deduction on the driver's license and a $249 fine. If there is a crash and someone is hurt or killed, the punishment is up to seven years in prison.
Each year nationally, hundreds of highway maintenance workers and emergency responders are injured or killed by passing motorists, according to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.
Fortunately, the Green County Highway Department hasn't had any recent injuries among its employees caused by passing motorists.
But there have been "several close calls and near misses when motorists ignore our work zones signs and flag persons," Wunschel said.
Now is the prime time to get into the habit of watching out for highway crews and other workers. As the snow melts, county highway maintenance crews are beginning the annual process of replacing signs, repairing potholes, guardrails and other damage that occurred over the winter.
"We would greatly appreciate everyone's help to make our work zones a safe place to work," Wunschel said.