Road construction worker challenges drivers to be patient\, slow down

Police.

State officials across america are challenging drivers to be more respectful in construction zones.... it's part of a weeklong initiative to cut down on accidents that happen in these areas... rock county reporter adam duxter joins us from our bureau at the janesville gazette with why this week means so much to the workers in orange.

Eric and susan... it's no secret that driving through construction can be a pain... but for those responsible for doing the work.... a little patience and understanding..

Can go a long way.

Anthony glenn's job takes him all over... whether it's a busy street... a workshop... or a highway... the road construction worker... is always moving.

((( , " "))) 12 18 45 a lot of what i do is based on the safety of our employees and the people driving through.

Safety... is glenn's biggest priority... especially when he's out in the field... or should i say... street.

((( , " "))) 12 20 57 you're always more or less looking over your shoulder.

You have to be aware of your surroundings, period.

According to the dot, this past year.... there were thirty one hundred work zone crashes in the state of wisconsin... more than 300 in rock county alone.

Glenn says unfortunately..

It's as much of the job as anything else.

((( , " "))) 12 28 05 there's definitely concerns all the time when you're out there.

But he says thhe way drivers treat workers like him... isn't always so great.

12 22 44 probably the most frustrating aspect of it is people not necessarily being patient.

((( , " "))) 12 23 34 i had actually had a guy jump out of his vehicle, threaten to beat me up, try to move my cones that i had out there to keep him from crossing over what we had just paved ten minutes before.

This week... states across america are urging drivers to be more aware in construction zones... anthony says... drivers need to know... he's a person too.

((( , " "))) 12 28 15 at the end of the day, we all want to make it home to our families.

We all do.

Just sitting here thinking about the possibility of not being able to see my daughter at night is a bit emotional.

Anthony says the biggest issues he sees with drivers is people driving distracted.... he says putting down your phone when your in a construction zone can make all the difference.... most of all... he's asking drivers to remember to be patient... and remember workers are people