February 13, 2025

By Lane Kimble

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A new work zone safety initiative WTBA spearheaded in Wisconsin last year received some national attention this week.

Newly elected Congressman Tony Wied (R-Wisconsin) highlighted the Work Zone Safe Wisconsin (WZSW) program during his remarks and witness questioning Wednesday at the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee’s hearing of the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.

“In my home state, teens are required – and it’s free for them – to complete a 30-minute work zone safety instruction as a requirement to obtain their license,” Rep. Wied said of WZSW.  “After completing the course, they will know what causes most work zone crashes and the basic driving safety habits that can prevent injuries and fatalities.”

Wied was elected in November to replace Rep. Mike Gallagher, who decided to resign from Congress in 2024.  Wied’s 8th Congressional District covers Green Bay, Appleton, Door County and points north.

“The course also introduces teens to powerful real-life stories… The faces behind the flags, cones, and flashing lights which are too often overlooked by many drivers,” Wied said.

WTBA launched WZSW with a coalition of partners in April 2024.  Since then, more than 2,000 people have successfully completed the online course.  WTBA awards a monthly $500 scholarship to one lucky teen, which is generously sponsored by the Wisconsin County Highway Association.

Wisconsin is the second state in the nation to implement the Work Zone Safe program after Oklahoma’s initial launch in 2023.

“I am thankful for that program,” Haley Norman with ATSSA said in response to Wied.  “I think that one thing that can be done federally is awareness and communication between states on best practices.

“I believe that we will see that type of program is effective and should be shared across states.”

You can sign up for the WZSW course HERE.