Kernersville - Going too fast and not
paying attention behind the wheel are among the top causes of work zone
crashes.
Statewide last year, there were more than
7,200 crashes and 38 deaths in work areas.
This
spring, the N.C. Department of Transportation, the N.C. Governor’s Highway
Safety Program and the State Highway Patrol are teaming up for a safety campaign
that coincides with an increase in highway construction or maintenance projects.
Rear-end collisions are the most frequent type in work areas.
Gov. Roy Cooper has proclaimed April as Work Zone Safety Awareness Month and April
9-13 as Work Zone Safety Week. State officials remind drivers to obey the posted
speed limits and avoid distractions while traveling through work zones.
“I was inside my IMAP truck with my signaling lights
flashing warning drivers to move over due to the accident ahead, the next
portion of my account is from law enforcement because I was knocked
unconscious,” said IMAP Driver Anthony Buie, who was nearly killed in May of
2017. Law enforcement official say he was struck from behind by a speeding,
distracted driver, who failed to move over in Alamance County.
“I was taken by ambulance to the hospital and was in intense recovery
for five months. While I am back on duty almost a year later, the lingering
effects of that crash still exists for my family and me, financially, medically
and emotionally. On behalf of myself and the thousands of NCDOT workers and
contract crews who help connect you and your family to the places you need to go
safely and efficiently, please allow us to go home alive at the end of our
shifts,” said Buie to a group of reporters covering a Work Zone Safety Awareness
event held Thursday morning along the Winston-Salem Northern
Beltway project, one of the most important multi-lane freeways in the
Triad.
Some 53,000 vehicles travel through the
project work zone daily while about 50 workers are sometimes feet away from
traffic at any point in time.
Transportation
officials are pleading with the public to change their driving behaviors by
doing the following.
- Pay close attention to signs and work zone flaggers;
- Turn on your headlights so workers and other motorists can see
you;
- Obey the posted speed limits;
- Do not change lanes;
- Avoid changing radio stations and using cell phones; and
- Expect the unexpected: Keep an eye out for workers and their
equipment.
The safety campaign complements the NC Vision Zero initiative, which
aims to reduce crashes, eliminate roadway deaths and encourage safer driving
behavior. More information can be found at this NCDOT
website, including driving safety tips.
Media Contact:
Miracle King
miracleking@ncdot.gov
(336) 487-0157