State DOT Highlights Highway Work Zone Safety During National Work Zone Awareness Week

ALBANY, NY (04/04/2011)(readMedia)-- The New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) is reminding motorists to drive safely in work zones and is raising awareness by marking National Work Zone Awareness Week this year through eleven press events that will be held across the state this week. The week-long commemoration (schedule below), which runs from Monday, April 4 through Friday, April 8, will highlight the importance of driving safely and staying alert in highway construction and maintenance work zones, consistent with this year's national theme: "Safer driving. Safer Work Zones. For everyone."

"The way people drive in the vicinity of highway maintenance and construction work zones can mean the difference between life and death for motorists, their passengers and those who are working to improve our roadways throughout the year," NYSDOT Commissioner Joan McDonald said. "Motorists hold the fate of highway workers and their own destiny in their hands by the way they drive. In commemorating National Work Zone Awareness Week we hope to raise awareness about the importance of caution in work zones in hopes that all those on our roadways will be able to return home to their families safe and sound at the end of each day."

Commissioner McDonald today joined with State Police Lt. Colonel Stephen Maher representing Superintendent Joseph A. D'Amico, Mike Ingalsbe, Regional Director representing Associated General Contractors of NYS President and CEO Michael Elmendorf and others overlooking an interstate work zone from Route 66 in Princetown, Schenectady County, to highlight work zone safety. NYSDOT maintenance workers were repairing the steel on a bridge carrying Interstate 88 over the Normanskill Creek.

National Work Zone Awareness Week is designated by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to raise driver awareness and reduce the number of vehicle intrusions into work zones, incidents that can cause injuries and fatalities. Nationally, according to the most recent data available from the FHWA, there were 667 fatalities in work zones in 2009, down from 720 fatalities in 2008.

In New York State last year, there were more than 497 traffic crashes in NYSDOT construction and maintenance work zones, including 87 intrusions into highway areas cordoned off for highway workers. The incidents resulted in 202 injuries and 15 fatalities.

Sadly, in 2009, NYSDOT employee Gary Farrell died in a work zone intrusion after being struck by a pickup truck as he flagged traffic at a maintenance project on State Route 28 in the Town of Forestport, Oneida County; and in 2008, NYSDOT highway maintenance supervisor Kevin Forsyth was killed when he was struck by a vehicle that entered the closed shoulder of a work zone on State Route 182 in the town of Niagara, Niagara County.

NYSDOT works continually to improve safety and best practices within work zones. Safety measures include conducting highway work at off-peak hours, when traffic is at a minimum, and reducing speed limits in work zones. Others include modern flagging operations and the use of concrete median barriers, bright orange cones and barrels to separate traffic from work space; highly reflective sheeting on orange work zone signs; and rumble strips to alert motorists to road conditions.

In New York State, fines are doubled for speeding in a work zone. In accordance with the Work Zone Safety Act of 2005, convictions of two or more speeding violations in a work zone could result in the suspension of an individual's driver's license.

New York State Police Superintendent Joseph A. D'Amico said, "As the construction season begins, we remind motorists to obey posted speed limits, stay in designated lanes, and be attentive of workers and equipment in highway work zones. The safety and welfare of construction staff and highway workers is vital as they continue to improve our state's roadways. Troopers will aggressively enforce speed limits in these work zones."

State Thruway Authority Executive Director Michael R. Fleischer said, "The New York State Thruway Authority is proud to partner with the New York State Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration launching this year's national work zone awareness campaign. With Governor Andrew Cuomo's support, the Thruway Authority continues its mission of keeping safety number one in our highway construction and maintenance work zones. Travelers should be prepared to reduce speeds and drive alert when passing through construction zones."

Mike Elmendorf, president and CEO of the Associated General Contractors of New York State, said, "Maintenance and upgrades to our roads and bridges are not only essential to getting us all from point A to point B and supporting our economy, but are critical to our safety. It is equally critical that the men and women who do this important work be safe as well. That's why, as the construction season begins again, we must all focus on making work zones safer for both workers and the traveling public, especially with all the distractions we see on the road today. So, please be aware of what's going on around you on the road, watch for signs, slow down and obey work zone speed limits. We rely on road crews for our safety as we travel-and they're counting on us for their safety as well."

Chad Martin, director of safety at National Grid, said, "Although National Grid crews are trained in work zone safety, wear high-visibility clothing, and post warning signs near work sites, the areas require heightened attention from drivers. National Grid urges motorists to use extreme caution in work zones and to pay attention to warning signs. Inattentive or aggressive driving in these areas could mean the difference between life and death."

NYSDOT has scheduled 10 additional press events at highway work sites across the state this week to draw attention to the importance of work zone safety. Others will be held throughout the construction season. The full list of this week's Work Zone Awareness events follows:

• Monday, April 4 at 1 p.m. - Princetown, Schenectady County, a maintenance work zone involving steel repair on a bridge carrying Interstate 88 over the Normanskill Creek;
• Monday, April 4 at 1 p.m. – Amherst, Erie County, a highway construction work zone at the intersection of U.S. Route 62, Ridge Lea Road and Koenig Road;
• Tuesday, April 5 at 9:30 a.m. – Campbell, Steuben County, a highway construction work zone at Exit 42 of I-86, where a bridge is being replaced;
• Tuesday, April 5 at 10 a.m. – Apalachin, Tioga County, a maintenance work zone involving guiderail repair on Route 17;
• Tuesday, April 5 at 11 a.m. – Clarkstown, Rockland County, a construction work zone involving the reconstruction of four bridges on State Route 59;
• Wednesday, April 6 at 10 a.m., Oneida County, a maintenance work zone along Utica's North-South Arterial (State Route 5/8/12);
• Wednesday, April 6 at 10 a.m., Jefferson County, a construction work zone for the Fort Drum Connector project;
• Wednesday, April 6 at 10:30 a.m., Rush, Monroe County, a construction work zone involving concrete pavement repairs on I-390 in the towns of Rush and Henrietta, Monroe County;
• Wednesday, April 6, 2011 between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m., a maintenance pothole repair work zone involving the LIE Eastbound Rest/Parking area between Exits 65 and 66 in Yaphank, Town of Brookhaven, Suffolk County;
• Thursday, April 7 at 10:30 a.m., Geddes, Onondaga County, a construction work zone involving the ramp from westbound State Fair Boulevard to southbound State Route 695;
• Thursday, April 7 at 11 a.m., Queens, a construction work zone for the Kew Gardens Interchange Project.

NYSDOT recommends that motorists observe the following ten safety tips critical for safe driving in highway construction work zones:

1. Expect the unexpected in any work zone along any road, major or minor. Normal speed limits may be reduced, traffic lanes may be changed, and people and vehicles may be working on or near the road.
2. Diamond-shaped orange warning signs are posted in advance of road construction projects. Slow down! Be alert! Pay attention to the signs!
3. In addition to other warning signs, a "flagger ahead" warning sign may be posted in the work-zone. When you see this, stay alert and be prepared to obey the flagger's directions. In a work-zone, a flagger has the same authority as a regulatory sign, so you can be cited for disobeying his or her directions.
4. Stay calm. Work-zones aren't there to inconvenience you; they are necessary to improve the roads for everyone.
5. You may see flashing arrow panels or "lane closed ahead" signs. Merge as soon as possible. Don't zoom right up to the lane closure and then try to barge in; If everyone cooperates, traffic moves more efficiently. Motorists can help maintain traffic flow and posted speeds by moving to the appropriate lane at first notice of an approaching work zone.
6. Slow down when the signs say to. A car traveling 60 miles per hour travels 88 feet per second. If you are going 60 mph and you pass a sign that states "Road Work 1500 feet," you will be in that work zone in 17 seconds.
7. The most common crash in a highway work zone is the rear-end collision, so remember to leave two-seconds of braking distance between you and the car in front of you. The amount of space required to provide two seconds of stopping time will increase the faster you're driving.
8. Keep a safe distance between your vehicle and traffic barriers, trucks, construction equipment and workers. Just like you, highway workers want to return home safely after each day's work.
9. Some work zones -- such as for line painting, road patching, and mowing -- are mobile, moving down the road as work is finished. Just because you do not see the workers immediately after you see the warning signs, does not mean they are not out there. Observe posted work zone signs until you see the one that states you've left the work zone.
10. Highway agencies use different ways to inform motorists about the location and duration of major work zones. Often, they will suggest a detour to help you avoid the work zone entirely. Plan ahead and try an alternate route.

For up-to-date travel information, call 511 or visit www.511NY.org.

###