FRANKFORT, Ky. (LEX 18) – The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is encouraging drivers to pay attention to construction crews as they work on the roads.
As warm weather approaches, motorists can expect to see orange cones and flashing lights on roadways as construction and maintenance activities resume. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) is driving attention to National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW) – April 8-12 – to encourage motorists to take a vested interest in work zone safety by slowing down and driving without distractions in active work zones.
While the number of work zone fatalities dropped sharply from 12 in 2017 to three in 2018, all three victims were non-crew workers. The number of work zone crashes rose 3% from 1,007 in 2017 to 1,042 in 2018.
Among the contributing causes of work zone crashes, distracted driving is significant. Distracted driving behaviors may include texting or operating a phone while driving, eating, or applying makeup. Last year, 53% of work zone crashes listed distracted driving as a factor.
To help prevent future work zone crashes, the Transportation Cabinet asks drivers to practice three work zone safety tips:
- Pay Attention – Don’t text, eat or perform any other activity while driving.
- Respect Flaggers – Obey their guidance and watch their direction carefully.
- Slow Down – Maintain a safe following distance; rear-end collisions are the most common work zone crash.
To read work zone stories and to stay current with KYTC’s 2019 work zone awareness campaign, connect with the Cabinet on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, and follow the #vestedinwzsafety and #glowky conversations. For more information, visit the KYTC’s work zone safety webpage.
