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DOT official cites steady crash counts, fewer fatalities and urges local agencies to pursue safety grants
Summary
A regional DOT representative told the Sawyer County Traffic Safety Committee that statewide first-quarter reportable crashes were about 31,000 with 76 preliminary fatalities; county reportable crashes numbered 78. The representative described new state traffic laws and grant programs (HSIP/HYSSUP, HRRP, SS4A) and urged local agencies to apply.
A regional DOT representative briefed the Sawyer County Traffic Safety Committee on first-quarter crash data and several state traffic-safety laws, and urged local agencies to use available grant programs to address problem corridors.
The DOT representative said statewide DOT-reportable crashes for January–March totaled roughly 31,000, with nearly 7,000 injuries and 76 preliminary fatalities. The representative noted fatalities are a lagging indicator but added that the first-quarter fatality tally is down from recent rolling averages. Locally, Sawyer County had 78 DOT-reportable crashes in the same period and recorded no county fatalities during the quarter.
The presentation highlighted several recently enacted laws affecting traffic safety. The representative summarized Act 83 (changes to UTV maximum weight), Act 89 (authorizing oral-fluid roadside testing for drugs, with device specifications and administrative rules still to be finalized), Act 195 (changes to OWI-related procedures), and Act 210 (adjustments to ignition-interlock timing). He warned that implementation often depends on forthcoming administrative code and rulemaking.
The representative described federal and state funding options for safety projects, advising local jurisdictions to consider the Highway Safety Improvement Program (referred to in meeting materials as HSSUP) and the High Risk Rural Roads Program (HRRP). He said HSSUP projects may receive up to 90% federal funding with a 10% local match and that HRRP offers a no-cost corridor safety evaluation and an annual competitive round of roughly 25 project slots. He recommended agencies gather crash narratives and engineering data to strengthen applications.
On outreach and campaigns, the DOT rep flagged national and state safety efforts in the coming months — bicycle and motorcycle safety messaging, Click It or Ticket occupant-protection enforcement, heat-stroke prevention messaging and impaired-driving mobilizations around Memorial Day and Independence Day. He also promoted the Governor's Conference on Highway Safety (late August) and noted nomination deadlines for recognition awards.
The representative closed by offering regional contacts (including Tim, Jen and Dave Doms) and encouraging agencies to submit opt-in forms for data-sharing and to contact DOT staff for technical assistance and grant guidance. "If there's anything we can do for you, make sure that you let us know," he said.—Regional DOT representative (Speaker 6)
