Madison - State Representative John Jagler (R-Watertown) introduced a bill today to protect
sanitation workers in Wisconsin.
The “Slow Down to Get Around” bill doubles the fines for moving violations committed while
going around sanitation trucks. Jagler authored the bill following an accident involving one of
his constituents who was pinned between a vehicle and a garbage truck while emptying a trash
container.
“While campaigning in Ixonia, I met Mark Friend,” Jagler said. “Mark, who has worked in the
sanitation industry for years, told me of the dangers he and his coworkers face every day while
on the job. I promised I would look into ways to improve safety conditions.”
Just months later, Mark was severely injured in an accident in Stoughton, losing a leg. “After
very nearly losing his life and undergoing nearly two dozen surgeries, Mark called me to remind
me of the promise I made,” Jagler said. “I immediately started working on this bill.”
The legislation, co-sponsored in the State Senate by Senator Paul Farrow (R-Pewaukee), has the
strong backing of the National Solid Wastes Management Association. The NSWMA is
planning a public awareness campaign, including signs for the back of sanitation vehicles, which
will remind drivers that fines double if they do not “Slow Down to Get Around”.
“Something needs to be done to protect my brother and my friends who work in the industry,”
Friend said. “Drivers need to be reminded that they need to be careful, just like they are in
construction zones. This bill will do that.”
The bill would double the minimum and maximum forfeitures for certain speeding and reckless
driving violations committed in areas where sanitation workers are at risk.
“Just as the doubling of fines in construction zones serves as a reminder for drivers that they
need to use extra caution, my hope is this bill encourage drivers to be more safety-conscious
when garbage crews are working,” Jagler said.
