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The event was one of 11 that is taking place during the weeklong commemoration, which runs April 4 to 8. The week highlights the importance of driving safely and staying alert in highway construction and maintenance work zones. This year’s national theme is “Safer driving. Safer Work Zones. For everyone.”
In New York State last year, there were more than 497 traffic crashes in NYSDOT construction and maintenance work zones, including 87 intrusions into highway areas cordoned off for highway workers. The incidents resulted in 202 injuries and 15 fatalities, according to the NYSDOT.
In commemoration of Work Zone Safety Awareness Week, the NYSDOT offers the following safety tips for motorists driving in highway construction work zones:
1. Expect the unexpected in any work zone along any road — major or minor. Normal speed limits may be reduced, traffic lanes may be changed, and people and vehicles may be working on or near the road. Diamond-shaped orange warning signs are posted in advance of road construction projects. Slow down, and pay attention to the signs.
2. Stay calm. Work zones aren’t there to inconvenience you; they are necessary to improve the roads for everyone.
3. Slow down when the signs say to. The most common crash in a highway work zone is the rear-end collision, so remember to leave two seconds of braking distance between you and the car in front of you. The amount of space required to provide two seconds of stopping time will increase the faster you’re driving.
4. Keep a safe distance between your vehicle and traffic barriers, trucks, construction equipment and workers. Some work zones — such as for line painting, road patching and mowing — are mobile, meaning they move down the road as work is finished. Just because you don’t see the workers immediately after you see the warning signs, that doesn’t mean they are not there. Observe posted work zone signs until you see the one that states you’ve left the work zone.
5. Highway agencies use different ways to inform motorists about the location and duration of major work zones. Often, they suggest a detour to help you avoid the work zone entirely. Plan ahead, and try an alternate route. For up-to-date travel information, call 511 or visit www.511NY.org.
Bob Traver, regional director of the New York State Department of Transportation, visited an ongoing concrete pavement repair project on the expressway in Rush and Henrietta today in celebration of National Work Zone Safety Awareness Week.
The event was one of 11 that is taking place during the weeklong commemoration, which runs April 4 to 8. The week highlights the importance of driving safely and staying alert in highway construction and maintenance work zones. This year’s national theme is “Safer driving. Safer Work Zones. For everyone.”
In New York State last year, there were more than 497 traffic crashes in NYSDOT construction and maintenance work zones, including 87 intrusions into highway areas cordoned off for highway workers. The incidents resulted in 202 injuries and 15 fatalities, according to the NYSDOT.
In addition to the construction site the DOT visited, construction has also begun on the area of Jefferson Road between Market Place Drive and Ridgeland Road.
In commemoration of Work Zone Safety Awareness Week, the NYSDOT offers the following safety tips for motorists driving in highway construction work zones:
1. Expect the unexpected in any work zone along any road — major or minor. Normal speed limits may be reduced, traffic lanes may be changed, and people and vehicles may be working on or near the road. Diamond-shaped orange warning signs are posted in advance of road construction projects. Slow down, and pay attention to the signs.
2. Stay calm. Work zones aren’t there to inconvenience you; they are necessary to improve the roads for everyone.
3. Slow down when the signs say to. The most common crash in a highway work zone is the rear-end collision, so remember to leave two seconds of braking distance between you and the car in front of you. The amount of space required to provide two seconds of stopping time will increase the faster you’re driving.
4. Keep a safe distance between your vehicle and traffic barriers, trucks, construction equipment and workers. Some work zones — such as for line painting, road patching and mowing — are mobile, meaning they move down the road as work is finished. Just because you don’t see the workers immediately after you see the warning signs, that doesn’t mean they are not there. Observe posted work zone signs until you see the one that states you’ve left the work zone.
5. Highway agencies use different ways to inform motorists about the location and duration of major work zones. Often, they suggest a detour to help you avoid the work zone entirely. Plan ahead, and try an alternate route. For up-to-date travel information, call 511 or visit www.511NY.org.
For more information, visit the NYSDOT website.
