National Work Zone Awareness Week is April 8-12

Highways, roads and streets can be dangerous locations to work. Speeding cars and distracted drivers are common hazards. That’s why the Arizona Department of Transportation is partnering with the League of Arizona Cities and Towns and the Arizona Chapter of Associated General Contractors to promote National Work Zone Awareness Week, April 8-12.

From dusk to dawn during the week, the State Capitol Dome, as well as the House and Senate buildings, will be illuminated in orange – the official color of Work Zone Awareness Week.

Last year, nearly 1,000 traffic collisions occurred in work zones statewide, resulting in 17 fatalities. It’s important for motorists to pay attention to signage and directions when entering work zones because national crash statistics show that vehicle occupants account for more than 80 percent of traffic fatalities that occur in work zones.

Follow these tips when traveling through work zones:

• Pay attention: Observe and obey posted warning signs, as well as flaggers. You can be cited for disobeying a flagger’s directions.
• Expect the unexpected: Speed limits might be lowered, travel lanes could be narrowed or eliminated and people may be working near your travel lane.
• Slow down: Speeding is one of the leading causes of work zone crashes.
• Merge safely: Do it carefully and as directed by signage. In some locations a zipper merge may be used.
• Don’t tailgate: The most common crash in a work zone is the rear-end collision. Don’t follow too closely and, again, slow your speed.

For more information about work zone safety, visit FocusOnDriving.com.