by Gerald Nicely, Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Transportation
posted August 2, 2007
Each day thousands of men and women lace up their boots, put on their safety vests and hard hats and head to the office. What makes their office unique is the thousands of cars rushing through it daily. We are midway through this year's peak road construction season and already two highway workers have been killed by drivers who traveled out of their lanes. On both occasions the drivers stated that they fell asleep.
Distracted or drowsy driving can be just as dangerous, or even more dangerous, than speeding and it's not just workers at danger in work zones. Statistics show that four out of five people killed in work zone crashes are motorists.
The Tennessee Department of Safety reports there were more than 5,000 crashes in Tennessee work zones in 2005 and at least 13 of those crashes were fatal. This year alone, we have already seen several drivers killed in work zones, largely because they were either speeding or distracted.
There are some simple things each one of us can do to stay safe in work zones. Taking these steps can mean the difference between life and death:
*Know the signs. Orange and Black signs mean a work zone is ahead.
*Slow Down. Reduced speed limits are there to protect both you and the highway workers. Reducing your speed gives you more time to react and can be the difference between life and death. Speeding through a work zone can result in up to a $500 ticket. And remember, work zone speed limits apply even if workers are not present.
*Pay Attention and Expect the Unexpected. Work zones frequently change so it's important to keep your eyes on the roadway, even if you drive through a construction project every day.
*Don't Drive Drowsy. If you are feeling sleepy, pull over at a rest area or welcome center and get out of the car and walk around or rest before pulling back onto the road.
*Eliminate distractions. Put down the cell phone; leave the radio dial alone. This is not the time to look for a new CD.
*Don't tailgate. Most work zone accidents are caused by rear-end collisions.
*Watch for flaggers. Follow their signals, and don't change lanes within the work zone unless instructed to do so.
*Turn your lights on before you enter the zone. This increases your visibility to workers and other motorists.
*Finally, stay calm and prepare for the unexpected.
Tennessee's interstates are now more than 50 years old and as our infrastructure ages, more maintenance work is required to keep them in top shape. So the next time you encounter a highway work zone, remember: the workers you pass have families who want to see them return home safely just as your families want the same for you.
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