Transportation
officials across the country are gearing up for National Work Zone
Awareness Week April 6-12.
In
2001, the latest year for which statistics on work zone injuries
and fatalities are available, more than 1,000 people were reported
killed in work-zone related crashes. Most killed were motorists,
not workers.
“This
year, we will stress the danger to motorists,” Roger Wentz, executive
director, the American Traffic Safety Services Association, said.
As motorists observe orange signs when they approach a roadway work
zone, Wentz suggests:
- Stay alert and give full attention to the roadway, signs and workers.
- Turn headlights
on so workers and other drivers can see you.
- Never tailgate
or speed and always slow to the posted limits, even if the workers
are not immediately visible.
- Never change
lanes in a work zone.
- Minimize distractions, such as use of cellular phones and onboard
navigation systems.
- Always expect
the unexpected – and be patient.
