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The New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT), New York State Police (NYSP) and Associated General Contractors (AGC) joined today to deliver their annual message on the importance of worker and motorist safety in construction and maintenance work zones.  A press conference was held in a construction work zone along State Route (SR) 31 in the Town of Verona, Oneida County.

“Work zones are busy places and frequently contain dozens of people working on different aspects of projects all at the same time,” said NYSDOT Utica Regional Director Michael A. Shamma.  “Every year, motorists and workers are killed and injured in work zones across the nation.  Work zones and the highly visible people who are within them deserve both a reduction in your speed and your undivided attention to driving safely.” “Every motorist in Central New York has a responsibility to drive safely and use good judgment when driving in and around highway work zones,” said NYSDOT Syracuse Regional Director Carl F. Ford.  “We need your help to ensure that we can complete these essential highway and bridge projects without any accidents or injuries.”

“Highway construction work zones, by their nature, leave drivers less margin for error,” said AGC Representative Scot Owens.  “That’s why slowing down and paying attention is crucial to the safety of highway workers and travelers alike. The Work Zone Safety Act of 2005, which suspends a drivers’ license after two work zone speeding convictions, was passed just weeks after three highway construction workers lost their lives when a speeding tour bus crossed into their job site.  Let’s all make sure that hard-working men and women of our industry and the travelers in our state make it home safely every night.  Please – slow down in work zones - a few additional seconds of travel time might just make the difference between a safe day and a tragedy.”

“We ask the motoring public once again to use extra care and caution when entering and driving through construction zones,” said NYSP Troop D Captain Frank Coots.  “Please help us protect the workers who are improving and maintaining our transportation infrastructure.”

NYSDOT recommends that motorists observe the following ten safety tips critical for safe driving in highway construction work zones:

1.  Expect the unexpected in any work zone along any road, major or minor.  Normal speed limits may be reduced, traffic lanes may be changed, and people and vehicles may be working on or near the road.

2.  Diamond-shaped orange warning signs are posted in advance of road construction projects. Slow down! Be alert! Pay attention to the signs!

3.  In addition to other warning signs, a "flagger ahead" warning sign may be posted in the work-zone.  When you see this, stay alert and be prepared to obey the flagger's directions.  In a work-zone, a flagger has the same authority as a regulatory sign, so you can be cited for disobeying his or her directions.

4.  Stay calm. Work-zones aren't there to inconvenience you; they are necessary to improve the roads for everyone.

5.  You may see flashing arrow panels or "lane closed ahead" signs.  Merge as soon as possible.  Don't zoom right up to the lane closure, then try to barge in; if everyone cooperates, traffic moves more efficiently.  Motorists can help maintain traffic flow and posted speeds by moving to the appropriate lane at first notice of an approaching work zone.

6.  Slow down when the signs say to.  A car traveling 60 mph travels 88 feet per second.  If you are going 60 mph and you pass a sign that states "Road Work 1500 feet," you will be in that work zone in 17 seconds.

7.  The most common crash in a highway work zone is the rear-end collision, so remember to leave two-seconds of braking distance between you and the car in front of you.  The amount of space required to provide two seconds of stopping time will increase the faster you're driving!

8.  Keep a safe distance between your vehicle and traffic barriers, trucks, construction equipment and workers.  Just like you, highway workers want to return home safely after each day's work.

9.  Some work-zones -- such as for line painting, road patching, and mowing -- are mobile, moving down the road as the work is finished.  Just because you do not see the workers immediately after you see the warning signs, does not mean they are not out there.  Observe posted work zone signs until you see the one that states you've left the work zone.

10.  Highway agencies use different ways to inform motorists about the location and duration of major work zones.  Often, they will suggest a detour to help you avoid the work zone entirely.  Plan ahead and try an alternate route.

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