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.