April 11-15 is National Work Zone Awareness week. Each year in April, National Work Zone Awareness Week is held to bring national attention to motorist and worker safety and mobility issues in work zones. This year’s theme is “Don’t be that driver!”
According to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), “In 2015, there were 21,886 work zone crashes in Texas, an increase of 13 percent from the previous year. A total of 138 people were killed in work zones.”
Speeding and driver inattention are the top two reasons for work zone crashes.
What should you do in a work zone?
- Slow down. Remember, traffic fines double in work zones.
- Be more attentive to your surroundings. Don’t talk or text in your phone.
- Plan ahead. If you know of a construction zone on your route, take a different one or leave your house early in case of delays.
Go Orange Day is Wednesday, April 13, 2016, and the American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATTSA) is encouraging roadway safety personnel across the country to wear orange to show their support of work zone safety. Learn more on ATSSA’s website.
TTI is responsible for day-to-day operation and maintenance of the National Work Zone Safety Information Clearinghouse website. The Clearinghouse website is the largest online resource on roadway construction safety. Since 1998, the Clearinghouse has provided assistance to about 1.6 million users from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and 34 countries around the world. The clearinghouse is a joint effort of the American Road and Transportation Builders Association, FHWA and TTI.