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ITD reminds motorists to drive safely in work zones

March 23-27 is national Work Zone Awareness Week

Safer driving means safer work zones. Not just safer for construction workers, but also safer for motorists.

The person working behind the orange traffic cone is at risk, as is the worker directing motorists with a “stop-go” traffic paddle — but so too is the person behind the wheel, or the passenger behind the windshield. In fact, 85 percent of those killed in work-zone crashes are motorists or their passengers.  

The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) asks motorists to drive carefully through work zones. Each year, the Federal Highway Administration, ITD and other state departments of transportation draw special attention to safe driving in or near work zones during Work Zone Awareness Week, held nationwide March 23-27. The timing coincides with the start of construction season throughout the U.S.

Nationally, more than 700 people are killed and 37,000 injured each year in crashes in highway work zones.

In Idaho, there have been more than 2,000 crashes in work zones in the last five years (2009-2013), accounting for 11 fatalities. A total of five highway workers have been injured as a result.

“We urge drivers to give their full attention and use extreme caution when passing through these areas so they can arrive at their destination safely and construction workers can return home to their loved ones,” said ITD Chief Deputy Scott Stokes.

Stokes encouraged a common-sense approach to driving in work zones by offering drivers a few simple questions to answer for themselves.

Ask yourself if you:

- Devote your full attention to driving — nothing is more important.

- Checked 511 to see if there will be construction or heavy equipment on your route, or a changed traffic pattern?

- Drive at the proper speed limit and follow the directions of signs and flaggers? Are you slowing down for gravel surfaces, especially if riding a motorcycle?

- Buckled up, driving attentively, and avoiding distractions such as cell-phone use?

- Are being patient with delays that may happen? Some projects may have delays of up to 15 minutes, so consider adjusting your travel schedule accordingly.

“Attentive driving in or near work zones will help ensure the safety of drivers, passengers and construction workers,” Stokes added.