As spring road construction projects begin, everyone has a role to play in work zone safety

Despite the snow covering much of the U.S. today, spring construction is in full bloom across the nation, meaning that drivers will soon see the bright orange vests and hardhats of construction crews popping up along America’s highways.

As the number of workers on roads and highways increases, the risk of crashes and fatalities also increases.  These risks apply to drivers, passengers, workers, bicyclists and pedestrians alike.  In fact, drivers and passengers are at the highest risk.

Statistically speaking, 80-85 percent of victims in work zone fatal crashes are vehicle occupants or drivers, while only 10-15 percent of them are workers.  In many cases, drivers run into other vehicles, highway equipment, or safety barriers, or run off the road completely.  It is a longstanding statistic that remains surprising to most everyone – and is just another of many reasons why drivers should pay attention to the road, obey posted speed limits, watch for changing road conditions, and not use cell phones while driving.

From April 15-19, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), state Departments of Transportation, the American Road and Transportation Builders Association, the American Traffic Safety Services Association, and a host of others will kick off the 14th annual National Work Zone Awareness Week.

As it has for years, the FHWA works with states, local officials, and industry groups to promote improvements in work zone planning and design, increase worker training, improve law enforcement near work zones, and heighten awareness among drivers – and it is working.  The number of work zone fatalities is less than half what it was ten years ago, but even one death is too many.  Orange cones are replaceable – people aren’t.

After a hard day at work, we want America’s highway crews to get home safely – just like the drivers who depend on them.  Help us help them. We’re all in this together.