ASHWAUBENON, WI--- Milder weather and lower gas prices means more people are hitting the roads this week and it comes with a warning as traffic fatalities are up in Wisconsin this year.
Crash statistics shows there’s been 544 traffic fatalities in Wisconsin so far in 2015. That’s 50 more than 2014.
“Drive defensively, leave extra time to have more time to get to your destination and leave more space," says Sgt. Tim Austin with the Wisconsin State Patrol.
The DOT is taking notice and trying to bring that number down.The department putting in more rumble strips, high tension cable barriers and high friction surfaces.
“We continue to monitor them, because in the future, we want to say, do these work like they intended and if they do work like they intended, we look at other places that can benefit from it," says Mark Kantola with the DOT.
Another important reminder drivers is to make sure to check the dot's 511 website with all up to date road conditions and construction notices.
