April 7-11 is National Work Zone Awareness Week

Construction work on Wagner Road, Scio Township in 2007

Posted on March 25, 2008

It’s “orange barrel” season again and the Washtenaw County Road Commission has already began work on several road improvement projects in Washtenaw County. Consequently, it is a good time for motorists to remind themselves to be particularly cautious and alert to the many crews who will be working on road construction projects over the next six to nine months.

“Because ensuring the safety of our crews and the traveling public is the most important part of every project, each year transportation agencies across the country take time to recognize and raise public awareness on the importance of maintaining work zone safety by promoting “National Work Zone Awareness Week” (NWZAW),” stated Steve Puuri, Road Commission Managing Director.

"Slow for the Cone Zone" This year, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) announced that National Work Zone Awareness Week will be observed during the week of April 7-11, 2008. It is the ninth year that this nationally celebrated awareness/media event has taken place.

The theme for 2008 is “Slow for the Cone Zone,” which is aimed at warning motorists of the dangers when driving in cone zones. In an effort to reduce accidents in road construction and maintenance work zones, this safety campaign is intended to caution drivers to ease up and stay alert when passing a coned off areas.

"Safety is our highest priority, both for our road crews and the motoring public. Therefore, we need to make every effort to continually remind the public to pay attention as they drive through our coned, barreled, or barricaded work areas. By slowing down and watching out for road crews and equipment, they can help us to prevent accidents in work zones," said Managing Director Steve Puuri.

How Good is America’s Roadway System?

According to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), in 2006, nearly 2.6 million people were injured and 42,642 died on our nation’s roads. At the same time, the number of vehicle miles traveled continues to grow, topping 3 trillion in 2006. This growing demand is placing an unprecedented amount of stress on a mature road system that is approaching middle age and is in need of regular repair and rehabilitation.

How Significant is the Work Zone Safety Problem?

Below are some statistics from the FHWA:

According to the Federal Highway Administration...over the last 10 years, the annual number of persons killed in motor vehicle crashes in work zones has increased 45% (up to 1,010 in 2006).
Eight-five percent of those killed in a work zone are drivers or occupants.
On average, from 2002 to 2006, about 15% of the fatalities resulting from work zone crashes were non-motorists (pedestrians – including workers and bicyclists).
More than 40,000 people are injured each year as a result of motor vehicle crashes in work zones.
Of the 1,010 work zone fatalities in 2006, an estimated 235 occurred in crashes involving large trucks.
In addition, approximately one-half of all fatal work zone crashes occurred during the day; more than twice as many fatal work zone crashes occurred on weekdays as on weekends; and fatal work zone crashes occurred most often in the summer and the fall.
More than 3,000 work zones are expected to be present on the national highway system during peak construction; and an estimated 12 billion vehicle miles of travel per year will be through active work zones.

These statistics equate to one (1) work zone fatality every 8.7 hours (almost 3 per day), and one (1) work zone injury every 9 minutes (approximately 160 per day); and more than 60 million vehicles per hour of capacity lost to work zones each day during the peak construction period.

Yet surprisingly, roadway workers, as well as police, fire and rescue personnel, are not the only ones who fall victim to the tragic loss life or suffer injuries in work zone related accidents; statistics indicate that the vast majority of these fatalities are motorists, not the workers themselves!

“Of course, the safety of our employees is our foremost concern because our road workers face great risks every day while they repair and maintain the roads in Washtenaw County. Whether it is a maintenance operation or a major construction project, our employees’ safety comes first! That’s why we continually offer up-to-date training on safety procedures, provide property safety equipment and keep our work zone areas up to specifications provided by state and national guidelines,” Puuri explained.

“However, we are equally concerned for the safety of the motoring public. Yet, we alone cannot ensure each person’s safety in work zones; we need your help!”

Who Is Responsible for Work Zone Safety?

The FHWA advises that EVERYONE is responsible for work zone safety! Everyone is responsible for driving, walking, and biking safely through work zones. The engineers and planners have the responsibility to make sure the work zone is designed and operating properly--with safety in mind. Drivers and pedestrians have the responsibility to always be alert, avoid distractions, and obey the traffic laws. Passengers should always buckle up and act responsibly. The police and the courts have the responsibility to make sure that the traffic and work zone laws are enforced. Public safety agencies have the responsibility of responding to and securing crash locations and enforcing traffic laws. Local communities and county and state governments need to allocate funding for safe roads and increase public awareness about work zone safety. Everyone plays an important role so consequently, everyone needs to take responsibility for work zone safety!

For motorists, these few steps can mean the difference between life and death:

BE ALERT! When you see the orange barrels and signs, be ready for changing conditions ahead.
SLOW DOWN AND EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED. Pay attention to your surroundings. You may encounter workers, lane shifts, construction vehicles entering and leaving the roadway, or changed speed limits.
MINIMIZE DISTRACTIONS! Avoid changing radio stations and using cell phones while driving in a work zone.
KEEP A SAFE DISTANCE between your vehicle and the construction workers and their equipment.
DON'T TAILGATE! Keep a safe distance between you and the car ahead of you; the most common crash in a highway work zone is the rear end collision.
OBEY WORK ZONE SIGNS AND ROAD CREW FLAGGERS! The signs and flaggers are there to help you and other motorists move safely through the work zone.
BE PATIENT AND STAY CALM. Remember, road crews are working to improve the road and make your future drive better.

“During this construction season, please drive safely through all work zones. We will continue to do our part to keep you moving safely on Washtenaw County roadways; we ask you to do your part too, by obeying our work zone signs and keeping safety in mind!” concluded Puuri.

Contacts

For more information about the National Work Zone Awareness Week, visit the Federal Highway Administration Safety website or the American Traffic Safety Services Association.