Work Zones are a Sign to Slow Down for Safety!
Now in its 23rd year, National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW) is an annual spring campaign aimed at raising awareness of work zone safety between drivers and workers. A cooperative event between government agencies, private companies and national road and highway safety organizations, the mission of NWZAW is to educate the public of the importance of road safety as it relates to work zones.
In 2020, 857 people were killed in 774 fatal work zone crashes, according to the most recent data available from workzonesafety.org. Of that number, 117 fatalities were workers, with the vast majority of people killed being motorists and their passengers. With that in mind, here are seven tips to remember the next time you hit the road:
- Pay attention. The warning signs are there to help you move safely through the work zone. Observe the posted signs.
- Always expect the unexpected. Normal speed limits may be reduced, traffic lanes reduced, and people may be working on or near the road.
- Slow down! Speeding is one of the major causes of crashes.
- Keep a safe distance. The most common type of accident in a work zone is a rear-end collision. Maintain two car lengths between you and the car in front of you as well as road crews and their equipment.
- Stay alert and minimize distractions. Dedicate your full attention to the roadway and avoid changing radio stations or using cell phones while driving.
- Obey road crew flaggers. The flagger knows what is best for moving traffic safely in the work zone.
- Keep up with traffic flow. Motorists can help maintain traffic flow and posted speeds by merging as soon as possible. Do not drive right up to the lane closure and then try to barge in.
