The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) will host National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW) for 2024 next week, from April 15th to 19th. This annual spring campaign is aimed at promoting safe driving in highway work zones as the construction season commences. The theme of Work Zone Awareness Week chosen for this year’s event is “Work Zones are temporary. Actions behind the wheel can last forever.”
Image is provided by NWZAW website at https://www.nwzaw.org/.
“Work zones are not just construction sites; they are pathways to progress, ensuring safer and more efficient roadways for generations to come”
The numbers of work zone incidents
Work zones play a pivotal role in maintaining and enhancing our nation’s road infrastructure, facilitating essential repairs to roads, bridges, and other vital structures. However, these zones also pose significant risks to both workers and drivers. According to WorkZoneSafety.org, there were 891 fatalities in work zones in 2022, including 94 occupational deaths among highway workers at road construction sites, as reported by BLS data. Shockingly, NHTSA FARS data recorded 742 driver and passenger fatalities within work zones in the same year. This highlights the critical need for drivers to exercise caution by reducing speed and staying focused when approaching or navigating through roadway work zones.
Infographic is cited from FHWA.
It’s all too easy to underestimate the importance of vigilance in work zone safety. The familiarity of our regular routes may breed complacency, causing us to overlook the inherent risks posed by construction activities. However, complacency is a luxury we cannot afford when lives hang in the balance. Each decision we make behind the wheel carries weight, and in work zones, the margin for error is razor-thin.
Image is provided from FMCSA
Tips for a safe driving through work zones
A crucial aspect of work zone safety while in the driving is having a plan in place. Work zones often entail lane closures or detours, making it imperative to be aware of what lies ahead. To ensure safe passage through work zones, drivers should adhere to key guidelines and maintain vigilance on the road.
- Research routes. When possible, avoid work zones and use detours that are available. Modern navigation tools such as Google Maps, Waze, and Apple Maps can provide real-time updates on traffic conditions and construction zones, empowering drivers to anticipate challenges and plan alternate routes if necessary. By taking a proactive approach to traffic planning and design, we can minimize the likelihood of encountering unexpected obstacles and reduce the temptation to make risky maneuver in the heat of the moment.
- Pay attention when steering the wheel. Be aware of all signs throughout work zones that indicate reduced speeds, lane changes and other important information. Avoid distractions from your mobile phones, food and drinks, radio, GPS and conversing with other passengers.
- Slow down and move into the open lane. Make sure to slow down when entering a work zone. When approaching lane closures, move into the open lane as soon as possible. Be sure to pay attention to any vehicles in the blind spot.
- Keep the distance. Always maintain extra space between vehicles as rear-ended crashes happened commonly in work zones.
Image is provided from FMCSA
National Work Zone Awareness Week reminds all drivers to exercise caution and be vigilant when driving through work zones. By following these tips and being mindful of the safety of construction workers and fellow motorists, we can help prevent accidents and ensure a safer environment for everyone on the road. Let’s make the construction season safer by driving with care and awareness in work zones.
Furthermore, it’s essential to approach work zones with a mindset of patience and understanding. Construction crews are working diligently to improve our roadways, often in challenging conditions and adverse weather. By respecting their efforts and adhering to posted speed limits and traffic control measures, we not only ensure our safety but also contribute to a smoother, more efficient construction process.
Invarion has been collaborating with state transportation departments across the USA as well as American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA) to enhance work zone safety for a number of years. Ensure your work zone is safe and compliant by utilizing our traffic management software, traffic control planning software and swept path analysis software.
To learn more about our products and how they can enhance safety in road construction projects, visit our product page.