The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) is focusing on work zone driving safety as part of this summer's "100 Days of Safety" campaign. Motorists in Wisconsin are urged to slow down and drive carefully in work zones or face double fines.

"The top priority during the campaign is keeping highway workers and motorists safe throughout work zones, "said John Evans director of WisDOT's Bureau of Transportation Safety in a public release. "When we speak of 'rules of the road,' the most basic rules include slowing down and driving carefully when entering work zones."

Work zone crashes killed eight people in 2000, down from 17 in 1999. All of those were motorists. Nationwide, more than 870 people were killed in work zones crashes in 1999. The vast majority of those were motorists. "The major causes of work zone crashes are excessive speed and following vehicles too closely," Evans said.

The Wisconsin legislature passed the "Double Fines Law" in 1994. It defines a work zone as the entire section of roadway between the first advance warning sign and the final "end road work" sign.

Speeding and other moving violations in work zones (such as operating while intoxicated, reckless driving, and hit and run) are included as possible offenses subject to double fines.

Under the law, work-zone speeders will pay a minimum of $162.80 for speeds up to 15 mph over the limit in a work zone on a two-lane highway. The fine goes up with higher speeds or other violations. The highest basic speeding forfeiture is $827.00 for speeds 45 mph over the posted limit, or speeds 35 mph over in a 65 mph zone.

For more information on location of construction zones, contact: WisDOT at (608) 266-3048.