3/30/2006
Motorists urged to slow down, be cautious in roadway work zones
BOISE - Major highway construction projects are in full swing throughout the Treasure Valley, and motorists are reminded to slow down in work zones as part of Work Zone Safety Week, April 3-7. The Idaho Transportation Department emphasizes the importance of slowing down in work zones to ensure the safety of motorists and construction workers.
As Idaho grows, road improvement projects play a major role in ensuring safe, reliable transportation systems. To minimize the impact on commuters, it is increasingly common for road construction work to be done at night and during off-peak commute hours making it all the more important for motorists to use extra caution in work zones, regardless of the time of day or night.
"Work zones are tangible evidence that Idaho takes care of its infrastructure," said Eric Shannon, ITD District 3 Engineer. "We're also asking Idahoans to take care of themselves, their passengers and the workers who keep our roads in good shape."
In 2004, there were 265 collisions in Idaho work zones; 176 of those were in southwest Idaho, which includes the Boise area. Statewide, eight motorists died in work zone collisions and one construction worker was injured that same year. Nationwide, 1,068 people were killed in highway work zones.
According to the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, drivers believe most people killed in construction zone accidents are workers; however, four out of five work zone collisions nationwide involve drivers or passengers.
Rear-end collisions account for most work zone crashes. Speeding, following too closely, inattentive driving, failing to yield the right of way and improper lane changes also contribute to accidents in work zones.
"In our everyday commutes, we see men and women in orange vests doing things that slow us down, stand in our way, make us late," Shannon added. "So we hit the gas to get past these inconveniences. In that rush, crashes happen."
Fines for speeding in a highway work zone are increased to $82.50 from the standard fine of $53.
For information about road work on the state highway and interstate system, call 511 or visit 511.idaho.gov.