FHWA 04-05
Tuesday, April 5, 2005
Contact: Doug Hecox
Tel.: (202) 366-0660
Drivers Urged To Follow Safe Driving Tips in Highway Work Zones
Work Zones On The Rise As Summer Approaches; Most Work Zone Fatalities Are
Drivers Or Passengers
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The nation’s top highway official today urged drivers to
follow safe driving habits as more highway work zones pose greater challenges to
drivers during the upcoming road construction season.
“No one should sit on the sidelines of safety,” said Federal Highway
Administrator Mary E. Peters. “Orange and white safety barrels are springing up
as temperatures climb. Taking a few simple steps will keep drivers, passengers
and our highway crews safe in construction areas and avoid the traffic tie-ups
that work zone accidents cause.”
In support of Administrator Peter’s call, Deputy Administrator Rick Capka helped
kick-off National Work Zone Awareness Week at an event near the Woodrow Wilson
Bridge construction project outside Washington, D.C., with the American
Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, the American Traffic
Safety Services Association, the American Road and Transportation Builders
Association and the Associated General Contractors.
“The highway is a workplace for thousands of men and women, and we’re asking
drivers to remember that,” Capka said.
Work zone fatalities have increased 48 percent since 1997, according to FHWA. In
2003, work zone accidents claimed 1,028 lives and injured 41,239 others. Four
out of five people killed in work zones are either drivers or passengers.
Peters and Capka encourage drivers to follow FHWA’s “Ten Tips for Driving Safely
in Work Zones,” such as slowing down, obeying road crew flaggers and avoiding
tailgating. These safety tips are available at www.fhwa.dot.gov/safetytips.
In addition to developing safety tips for drivers, FHWA is looking at new ways
to increase work zone safety, including more durable pavements, better work zone
design and real-time information services to help drivers plan alternate routes
around construction areas.
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