Now in its 22nd year, National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW) is an annual event 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 National Work Zone Awareness Week is to educate the public of the importance of road safety as it relates to work zones.
Statistics provided by the Federal Highway Administration (FHA) indicate the perils of road work. In 2019, 842 people were killed in work zones, up from 757 the previous year. Worker fatalities in construction zones also increased to 135 in 2019, up from 124 in 2018. With that in mind, here are nine tips to remember the next time you hit the road and encounter a work zone:
- Check road conditions before you travel and schedule enough time to drive safely.
- 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 work-zone crashes.
- Stay alert and minimize distractions. Dedicate your full attention to the roadway and avoid changing radio stations or using cell phones while driving in a work zone.
- 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.
- 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.
- Be patient and stay calm. Remember, crews are working to improve the road and your commute.
