Each June, the Wisconsin Safety Council joins the National Safety Council in observing National Safety Month — a time dedicated to reducing leading causes of injury and death at work, on the roads, and in our communities. As we enter Week 3, the focus shifts to a topic that affects all of us: roadway safety.

Whether your employees are on the road for deliveries, job site travel, or their daily commute, roadway hazards remain one of the most persistent and preventable threats to their well-being. In fact, motor vehicle crashes continue to be a leading cause of workplace fatalities, with more than 44,000 roadway deaths reported across the U.S. in 2023 alone.

Why Roadway Safety Matters for Wisconsin Employers
Many companies emphasize safety on the job site — but roadway safety deserves just as much attention. Getting to and from a work location, especially on rural roads or during shift changes, can be just as dangerous as working with heavy machinery.

In Wisconsin, seasonal changes, wildlife crossings, and construction zones can add layers of risk. Distracted driving, speeding, fatigue, and impaired driving remain top causes of crashes on our roads.

What Employers Can Do
As the state’s leading provider of safety training and education, Wisconsin Safety Council encourages businesses to take a proactive approach to roadway safety. Here are a few simple, effective steps to protect your team:

• Reinforce a “zero tolerance” policy for distracted or impaired driving.
• Offer defensive driving training for employees who drive as part of their role.
• Create a clear fleet safety policy that includes seatbelt use, mobile device restrictions, and rules around fatigue.
• Educate your workforce about navigating construction zones, large vehicle blind spots, and how to safely share the road with pedestrians and cyclists.

Let’s Keep Wisconsin Moving — Safely
Safety doesn’t stop when your team leaves the building. This week is a valuable reminder to make roadway safety part of your company culture — from the boardroom to the loading dock.

Looking for resources? The Wisconsin Safety Council offers training, materials, and consultation services to help businesses take action. Together, we can work toward zero traffic fatalities in Wisconsin.