This week, Apr. 3–7, 2017, is National Work Zone Awareness Week. This year’s theme is “Work Zone Safety Is in Your Hands.” Across the country, various agencies will work together to promote safe driving habits in work zones with an emphasis on reminding drivers that work zone safety awareness starts with those behind the wheel.
The Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI) has been home to the National Work Zone Safety Clearinghouse for nearly twenty years. Since its inception in 1998, the clearinghouse has provided assistance to over 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, Federal Highway Administration and TTI.
TTI Research Librarian Hong Yu manages the website and the day-to-day operations of the clearinghouse, which is dedicated to providing the transportation construction industry and the general public with comprehensive information to improve motorist, worker and pedestrian safety in roadway work zones. The clearinghouse has become the world’s largest online library of free information on work zone crash data, safety standards, laws and regulations, news and research, best practices, public education campaigns, and latest technologies and equipment.
“The most effective way to ensure safer work zones is to educate drivers about what they can do to avoid dangerous situations whenever possible,” says Yu. “That’s what this year’s campaign is all about.”
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.
Learn more about this year’s nationwide promotional efforts at the National Work Zone Safety Information Clearinghouse website.
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