Chesterton Tribune

 

 

National Work Zone Awareness Week: Give road workers a brake

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The week of April 11-15 has been declared National Work Zone Awareness Week, In an effort to reduce accidents in work zones, the Indiana State Police said.

This week troopers headquartered at Lowell post will saturate area work zones, in marked and unmarked patrol vehicles, specifically to target aggressive drivers who are speeding, following too closely, changing lanes improperly, and disobeying other traffic laws.

“We work very closely with our partners at INDOT,” said Lt. Terry Gose, commander of the Lowell post. “Our goals are to protect the safety of the workers, and other drivers within these work zones.”

The minimum fine in Indiana for speeding in a work zone with workers present (I.C. 9-21-5-11) is $300, plus court costs averaging $125. The violation will also add six points to your driving record and in some counties result in a mandatory court appearance.

Tips for driving in construction areas:

* Be aware of your surroundings: Watch for orange signs that give information about upcoming work zones, lane closures or speed reductions.

* Reduce your speed: Most work zones have a speed limit reduction of 10 to 25 miles per hour below the typical posted speed limit. If you drive into a work zone and do not see a speed limit sign you should reduce your speed until such sign is visible. Even if there are no workers present where you are driving, the speed limit remains reduced all the way through the zone. Work zones often involve narrow lanes, lane shifts, shoulder closures, and congested traffic, and for that reason the speed reduction remains in effect 24/7.

* “Speed Limit 45, When Flashing”: These signs often preceed work zones that have temporary restrictions or lane closures and are typically activated only when workers are present in the zone. If you pass this type of sign and the lights are not flashing, you are still encouraged to reduce your speed, as construction equipment, lane shifts, and congested traffic are likely.

* Increase your following distance: One of the biggest factors in crashes is following too closely. If you increase your distance you not only give yourself more room to stop, you also increase your visibility of things ahead, allowing for more time to make a decision in an emergency situation. Remember, in work zones, construction equipment is often required to enter the traffic lane, causing traffic to stop suddenly. If somebody changes lanes in front of you, just slightly reduce your speed until you are at a safe following distance.

* Put down your phone: It takes an average of five seconds to read a text message, and if you take your eyes off the road for five seconds at 45 mph you will travel the length of one football field. It’s never a good idea to use your phone and drive, but in work zones it’s even more important to focus on the road and your surroundings.

According to IN.Gov/INDOT:

* Four out of five people killed in work zones are drivers and passengers, not highway workers.

* Rear-end crashes are the most common type of work zone crash.

* It takes just one additional minute to travel through a two-mile work zone at 45 mph, after slowing from 65 mph.

Areas where traffic is entering or leaving work zones are often more dangerous because drivers may be changing lanes and merging.

* Most fatal work zone crashes occur on roads with speed limits greater than 50 mph.

* Fatal work zones crashes occur most often in summer and fall.

 

 

 

Posted 4/12/2016

 

 
 
 
 

 

 

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