September 8, 2025
For more information, contact: Lilly Roe, (608) 441-3060
Communications Coordinator, Safe Communities
County sees increasing number of school-related traffic crash injuries
In the last two years, Dane County experienced an increase in the number of children aged 5-18 injured while walking or biking to or from school compared to the previous year. In 2024, there were 15 injured and in 2023 there were 13, compared to 4 injured in 2022.This has prompted Dane County law enforcement agencies to collectively increase surveillance in school zones as children head back to school.
The trend is continuing. Through the first half of this year, eight children in Dane County walking or biking to or from school have been injured. Seven of these were pedestrians.
Through the Dane County Traffic Safety Commission (TSC), thirteen enforcement agencies are dedicating efforts Sept. 8-19 to remind area drivers of the need to protect kids inside school zones and on the way to and from school. Lt. Matt Plendl, Waunakee Police Department and co-chair of the TSC Law Enforcement Group,
said agencies across Dane County will focus on education for drivers and pedestrians as well as issue warnings or citations to those who break the rules. “Fines can be very costly, but the risk of hitting a child is so much higher.”
The TSC also tracks information on the number of injuries in school zones. In 2024, three Dane County children walking and two bicycling were struck by vehicles in school zones. Over the past four years, that number totaled 12 walkers and 5 bicyclists. The youngest was 8 years. The good news was that no children were killed.
“These injuries far too often result from drivers speeding or driving distracted in school zones or in neighborhoods where children are walking or biking to and from school.” said Lt. Plendl “It’s also a concern when kids are getting on or off school buses. When a school bus’s red lights are flashing, drivers must slow down and come to a complete stop. This is not a suggestion–it’s the law. “
Law enforcement agencies and some school districts across the county are doing their part to help remind drivers to slow down by placing “Slow Down” yard signs on school grounds. These signs are distributed in partnership with Safe Communities
and may be picked up at the following participating police departments for placement on private property:
Dane County Sheriff’s Office Oregon Police Dept.
Blue Mounds Police Dept. Shorewood Hills Police Dept.
Cottage Grove Police Dept. Stoughton Police Dept.
Cross Plains Police Dept. Sun Prairie Police Dept.
DeForest Police Dept. Verona Police Dept.
Fitchburg Police Dept. Waunakee Police Dept.
Marshall Police Dept.
“We must all work together to create a safe environment for children in our community,” said Lt. Plendl. “Crossing guards and bus drivers help our students get safely to and from school each day. Parents and guardians need to remind children to use sidewalks, cross where there are marked crosswalks or crossing guards, and look left-right-left before crossing. And most importantly, drivers should slow down, stop for school buses, and limit distraction when driving, especially near schools.”
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Just the facts:
• In 2024 in Dane County, 3 children aged 5-18 were injured as pedestrians and 2 as bicyclists in school zones.
• Statewide in 2024, 35 child pedestrians and 15 bicyclists were injured in school zones.
• Over the past four years in Dane County, 12 children walking and 5 bicycling were injured in school zones.
• Statewide over the past four years, 136 child pedestrians and 42 bicyclists were injured in school zones. One bicyclist was killed. Over the past four years in Dane County, no children were killed in school zones.
• In 2024 in Dane County, 8 child pedestrians and 7 bicyclists were injured going to or from school.
• Over the past four years in Dane County, 27 child pedestrians and 19 bicyclists were injured going to or from school.
Potential Interviewee: Lt. Matt Plendl, Waunakee Police Dept, Dane County Traffic Safety Commission
Law Enforcement Group Co-chair: mplendl@waunakeepd.org, (608) 849-4523.