Department of Highways, District 6
Work zone safety and Revive the Drive – NKY working together for safe roads

Work zone safety and Revive the Drive – NKY

working together for safe roads

On average, a life is lost every 13 hours in work zone crashes nationwide

A split second of driver distraction can turn a highway work zone into a death zone.

Nationally, someone is killed every 13 hours – and injured every 13 minutes – as a result of an accident in a highway work zone. Last year in Kentucky, the toll was one person killed and 116 people injured.

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is hosting several events statewide to promote the work zone safety campaign April 4-8 which is also in conjunction with National Work Zone Safety Week.

The Northern Kentucky District 6 area presented their safety message today at Notre Dame Academy.  The backdrop included I-75 the Cut in the Hill area where one of the Revive the Drive – NKY interstate projects will take place this year.

“Not too many of us work in conditions where thousands of vehicles are driving through our office or work place,” Rob Hans, Chief District Engineer for Department of Highways District 6, in Covington said. “We want to remind drivers today and throughout the year to pay attention to their surroundings and obey the restrictions when entering a work zone.”

Work zones can involve highway construction and maintenance workers, utility crews, mowing contractors, brush cutters and tree trimmers.  Four out of five work zone accident victims are motorists rather than highway workers.

The Transportation Cabinet will invest in hundreds of highway projects again this year.  Traditionally, the highway construction season kicks off in April. Cabinet engineers and contractors work cooperatively to design projects and work schedules that minimize delays and crashes.   

This year, District 6 has road construction projects already in progress and planned totaling $300 million.  That means there will be a lot of orange barrels lining up along northern Kentucky highways and interstates.

“Every driver has a responsibility in keeping our roadways safe,” said Hans.  “Our goal is to have no injuries and more importantly a year with zero fatalities in our work zones.”

The national theme for Work Zone Safety Week 2011 is “Safer driving. Safer work zones. For everyone.”

Drivers are always urged to "Drive Smart" in work zones and be aware of workers, traffic control devices and construction equipment when traveling in areas where projects are ongoing.

Here are the “top 10” work zone safety tips.

1. Expect the unexpected.
2. Slow down.
3. Don’t tailgate. Keep a safe distance between you and the car ahead of you.
4. Keep a safe distance between your vehicle and the construction workers and equipment.
5. Pay attention to the signs.
6. Obey road crew flaggers.
7. Stay alert and minimize distractions. If possible, refrain from cell phone conversations while driving through work zones. Remember that texting while driving is now illegal in Kentucky.
8. Keep up with the traffic flow.
9. Schedule enough time and call 511 or go to www.511.ky.gov for Kentucky traffic and travel information. For Revive the Drive – NKY updates go to http://transportation.ky.gov/revivethedrive/ or follow KYTCDistrict6 our Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/KYTC.District6.
10. Be patient and stay calm.

For more information on work zone safety programs and additional safety tips, visit www.workzonesafety.org.

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