GDOT launches work zone safety awareness campaign

To bring needed attention to the growing issue of safe driving in road construction work zones, Georgia Department of Transportation officials and employees, Governor’s Office of Highway Safety Director Allen Poole, and “The Gridlock Guy” Doug Turnbull, launched Work Zone Safety Awareness Week on Monday to stress the need for drivers to slow down, pay close attention and take extra precautions when driving through work zones.

This year’s theme—Drive Like You Work Here—sheds light on the real dangers faced not only for workers, but also for drivers and passengers. In 2018, there were 52 fatalities in work zones in Georgia – all members of the public. There were no worker fatalities in Georgia work zones in 2018, according to a press release.

Fatal work zone crashes are on the rise in Georgia and have steadily increased over the years from 23 fatalities in 2014 to as high as 55 fatalities in 2017. In 2018, there were 27,235 work zone related crashes, resulting in 8,928 injuries.

Since 1973, 60 Georgia DOT employees have died in work zone related incidents. At today’s event, those names were read and the fallen were honored with a moment of silence.

Georgia DOT offers these work zone safe driving reminders:

• Drive Like You Work Here. Obey the rules of work zones: (1) Pay attention (2) Slow down (3) Watch for workers.
• Expect the Unexpected. Things may change quickly. Normal speed limits may be reduced, traffic lanes may be closed, narrowed, or shifted, and people may work on or near the road.
• Wear Your Seatbelt. It is your best defense in a crash. And make sure your passengers also buckle up.
• Roadway work zones are not only for construction. They are also for maintenance crews, HERO and CHAMP operators, law enforcement, first responders, tow trucks and utility service vehicles.
• Roadway work zones aren't always stationary. Slow-moving work zones conduct maintenance like litter pickup, mowing and sweeping, and may stop intermittently.
• Georgia's Move Over Law (the Spencer Pass Law) requires drivers to move-over one lane if possible when approaching stationary highway maintenance and construction workers, HERO and CHAMP operators, law enforcement or emergency vehicles, firefighters, paramedics, tow truck drivers and utility service vehicles in the roadway or on the shoulder and displaying flashing emergency lights. If traffic is too heavy to move-over safely, slow down below the posted speed limit and be prepared to stop.