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National Highway Work Zone Awareness Week

PHOENIX AZ (April 23, 2012) – Most people killed in highway work zones are drivers and or their passengers, not workers who must remain prepared for hazardous situations when building or maintaining Arizona roadways.

The Arizona Department of Transportation is asking drivers to understand the life and death challenges associated with work zones. The message is being delivered during the annual National Work Zone Awareness Week, April 23-April 27, 2012, which is observed at the traditional start of the highway construction season across the country.

“We don’t want to lose any of our ADOT family members who put their lives on the line to improve your highways,” said ADOT Director John Halikowski. “At the same time, national figures show more than 80 percent of people killed in work zones are drivers or their passengers. The prevention of such tragic crashes depends on drivers slowing down and paying attention in these areas.”

Federal figures show a total of 576 people were killed in highway work zones around the country in 2010 including 14 people here in Arizona. “Don’t Barrel Through Work Zones” is the safety-based theme of this year’s work zone awareness campaign.

Arizona’s climate lends itself to highway improvement projects all year along although high country work zones tend to increase as warmer weather arrives. “It starts with the driver paying attention to the work zone ahead,” said ADOT State Engineer Jennifer Toth. “The signs, cones, and reduced speed limits are all there to protect you, as well as our workers.”

Tail-gating is another driving behavior that increases the odds of highway crashes especially when work zones require merging. Arizona Department of Public Safety officers are keeping an eye out for aggressive drivers who follow other vehicles too closely.

Drivers are reminded that state law provides for increased fines for traffic violations within designated work zones advising drivers that fines are doubled. Be aware, be prepared, drive safely out there.

 

1 Comment

  1. Sedona SR 89A Update says:

    SR 89A Improvement Project Update for Week of April 23
    Read story on this site under Community!

    Construction along State Route 89A in Sedona from Dry Creek Road to Airport Road continues next week, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation….

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