With construction season in full-swing, PennDOT would like drivers to slow down in the work zones. To help spread awareness, it just held a news conference highlighting National Work Zone Awareness Week, which runs April 8 through April 12.

This year’s theme is Drive Like You Work Here.

Participants, while in a Columbus Boulevard work zone in South Philadelphia, stressed the importance of obeying traffic laws to ensure the safety of work zone crews, motorists, and pedestrians in close vicinity of a work zone. 

“Our goal is to make sure that every member of our workforce goes home safely to their families at the end of every workday,” said McClain. “While they are working on roads to better our quality of life, we are asking motorists to help keep our workers and themselves safe by obeying speed limits and avoiding distracted driving.”

According to PennDOT 2017 data, there were 509 crashes in work zones across Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties, with two fatalities. Since 1970, 89 PennDOT employees have been killed in the line of duty statewide.

If you encounter our work zones, please keep the following tips in mind for your safety and the safety of highway workers:

• Drive the posted work-zone speed limit;
• Avoid distractions and give your full attention to the road;
• Stay alert and pay close attention to signs and flaggers;
• Turn on your headlights if signs instruct you to do so;
• Maintain a safe distance around vehicles. Don’t tailgate;
• Use four-way flashers when stopped or traveling slowly;
• Always buckle up;
• Traffic patterns can change rapidly;
• When approaching lane closures, move into the open lane as soon as possible;
• If driving a large truck or bus, remember you have limited maneuverability, so proceed with caution; and
• Slow down.

For more information about National Work Zone Awareness Week, click here.