JEFFERSON CITY – The Missouri Department of Transportation reminds motorists to slow down and not be distracted when driving through construction areas. The emphasis on safety is part of National Work Zone Awareness Week, April 9-13.
“Please pay attention and drive safely in work zones,” said MoDOT Chief Engineer Ed Hassinger. “Keep your eyes on the roadway. Put your phone down and reduce your speed. We want you and our workers to make it home safe.”
In 2017, 13 people were killed in work zone crashes on state system routes and an additional three on the local system, for a total of 16 fatalities.
Warmer weather will start a busy season of construction and maintenance work on Missouri’s roads and bridges. As a result, interstates and major roads will have numerous work zones set-up through the fall. There will be work zones along Interstates 70, 44, 64, 55, 270 and on U.S. Route 65.
Motorists are urged to observe warning signs and merge before reaching lane closures. Please be aware of changing traffic conditions. Traffic could slow or stop unexpectedly, traffic lanes can merge, or equipment and workers can enter the roadway. Be aware and be prepared to slow down. Driving too fast for the conditions is a major factor in work zone crashes.
Work zone safety is a serious matter. Check out these current statistics:
- Between 2012 and 2017, 50 people were killed in work zone crashes on state system routes and an additional nine on the local system, for a total of 59 fatalities.
- Between 2012 and 2017, 2,844 people were injured in Missouri work zones on state system routes and an additional 965 on the local system, for a total of 3,809 injuries.
- Since 2000, 19 MoDOT employees have been killed in the line of duty, 13 of them taking place in work zones.
- The best defense in a work zone crash, or any crash, is a seat belt. In 2017, 65 percent of vehicle occupant fatalities were not wearing one.
To help make your travel safer, visit MoDOT’s Traveler Information map at www.traveler.modot.org/map and find out what work zones you’ll encounter before you go. Motorists can comment on the quality of MoDOT’s work zones with an online customer survey at http://www.modot.org/workzones/Comments.htm
For information on work zone safety and a list of high impact work zones across the state, visit http://www.modot.org/workzones/index.htm
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