Be Local means staying safe in work zones
Whether you are headed to work, a trip to the store or on your way to vacation, summertime means there may be construction projects in your path.
Be Local means be prepared for stops and waits, be courteous to other drivers and be safe for the sake of those in the work zones.
“The key is we need to keep everybody safe in a work zone. We want to make sure our employees are safe and make sure motorists get through safely,” said Valerie Peterson, community relations coordinator for PennDOT District 12, which covers Fayette, Greene, Washington and Westmoreland counties. “The key thing to remember is to stay alert and stay focused on driving.”
PennDOT has a number of construction and maintenance projects going on throughout the district. But so do other entities, such as utilities and municipalities. All are working to make local communities better places to live.
Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania is among those who issued a press release on work zone safety in the spring at the start of construction season and carries a work zone safety page on its website.
It reads in part: “Staying alert, slowing down and minimizing distractions are keys to personal safety and the safety of work zone crews.”
The release also reminds drivers that entities are doing their part to keep you on schedule: “Columbia Gas is committed to minimizing inconvenience to motorists and makes every effort to limit traffic restrictions or delays. We appreciate drivers’ patience while important project work is completed.”
So as projects and travel have increased with summer weather, it’s a good reminder to follow these tips from PennDOT:
n Drive the posted work zone speed limit.
n Stay alert and pay close attention to signs and flaggers.
n Turn on your headlights if signs instruct you to do so.
n Maintain a safe distance around vehicles. Don’t tailgate.
n Use four-way flashers when stopped or traveling slowly.
n Avoid distractions and give your full attention to the road.
n Always buckle up.
n Expect the unexpected.
n Be patient.
Pennsylvania has a number of work zone safety laws that are designed to protect both highway workers and motorists.
PennDOT reports they include:
“All motorists are required to travel with their headlights turned on in all posted work zones, not just active work zones. It is necessary for drivers in vehicles with daytime running lights to turn on their headlights in order to activate their taillights.
“Interstate work zones with a project cost exceeding $300,000 will have a speed-monitoring device to alert motorists of their speed prior to entering the work zone.”
PennDOT also notes:
“Active work zones must be designated as such to notify motorists when they enter and leave the work zone. A white flashing light attached to the ‘Active Work Zone When Flashing’ sign will indicate an active work zone. The flashing light will only be activated when workers are present and turned off when workers are not present.
“Motorists caught driving 11 miles per hour or more above the posted speed limit in an active work zone, or who are involved in a crash in an active work zone and are convicted for failing to drive at a safe speed, automatically will lose their license for 15 days.
“Fines for certain traffic violations — including speeding, driving under the influence, and failure to obey traffic devices — are doubled for active work zones. Also, the law provides for up to five years of additional jail time for individuals convicted of homicide by vehicle for a crash that occurred in an active work zone.
Work zone safety is a real concern.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports on its website that from 2003-2015, 1,571 workers lost their lives at road construction sites. From 2003-2015, Texas ranked as the state with the most worker deaths at road construction sites (171), followed by Florida (104), Pennsylvania (85), Illinois (69), California (69), and Tennessee (62).
And the Associated General Contractors of America in May posted a press release on its website about a new highway work zone study it had conducted, saying, “Fifty-four percent of highway contractors reported that motor vehicles had crashed into their construction work zones during the past year.”
The release also noted that work zone crashes have an impact on construction schedules and costs.
Peterson added, “Be alert not just in the work zone but everywhere. Things can happen quickly: a deer crossing a highway, debris on the road, drivers changing lanes. Be aware of your surroundings and expect the unexpected.”
She noted drivers should not use a cell phone, text, change radio stations or put on make up: “You need to concentrate on driving while in a motor vehicle.”
Those interested in joining the Be Local Network can contact Ted Flowers at 724-425-7231 or by email at tflowers@heraldstandard.com. Discount cards are available at the Herald-Standard, 8 E. Church St., Uniontown, and at the Greene County Messenger, 82 W. High St., Waynesburg.