BROWN COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) — Highway and safety officials showed off some new gear Thursday that road crews are using to try to keep you and workers safe.
It was part of a work zone awareness event in the parking lot of the Brown County Sheriff’s Department, which is near the Highway 172 construction zone. Officials have reported an alarming number of crashes due to inattentive driving in the work zone.
Road construction crews on the Highway 172 resurfacing project are testing guardian lights. They are military-grade, water proof, lights that can be seen as far as five miles away.
Guardian light on top of hard hat.
Officials say no matter the amount of safety gear they add, they first need drivers to slow down and put down cellphones.
“So, my plea to the traveling public, be accountable,” said Jon Leach, Northeast Asphalt Area Manager. “Be part of that safety and be accountable.”
The event also showed off queue warning systems and message boards, which have been in use for several years now. They alert drivers to slow down and of potential stops ahead. DOT officials say the signs have been shown to reduce crashes by 31 percent and crashes with injuries by 61 percent.
“Each day our people are seeing distracted drivers and the traveling public literally stop in the driving lanes of the highways because they are distracted and they just don’t know how to get to where they are going,” said Leach. “It’s very disturbing.”
Officials also showed off what is called a crash impact attenuator.
A crash impact attenuator is displayed at a press conference for work zone awareness on July 20, 2023.
PC: Fox 11 Online
It is essentially a trailer that provides extra cushion in the event of a high-speed crash. It is supposed to lower the severity of impact for the driver, equipment and potentially road crews.
