COLUMBUS―Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has called on drivers to be more vigilant in work zones as the state’s Department of Transportation joins other departments across the country in marking National Work Zone Awareness Week. The annual event aims to highlight the importance of safe driving practices in work zones to prevent accidents that can cause injury or death to road crews and motorists. The theme for this year’s campaign is “Work With Us.”
Statistics reveal that 4,628 work zone-related crashes occurred in Ohio in 2020, resulting in 23 fatalities, but fortunately, no workers lost their lives. Nationwide, 857 people, including 117 workers, were killed in 774 fatal work zone crashes in the same year. Ohio State Highway Patrol officers issued 4,477 work zone citations in 2022, with over a third of them being for exceeding the speed limit by more than 20 miles per hour.
Despite the dangers, many drivers are still not paying sufficient attention, with excessive speed and following other vehicles too closely cited as key factors contributing to work zone accidents. ODOT Director Jack Marchbanks emphasized that all road users have a role to play in ensuring work zone safety, urging drivers to obey posted speed limits and signs and give road crews the space they need to carry out their work safely.
Throughout the week, various activities will take place to raise awareness of work zone safety, including Go Orange Day on Wednesday, where members of the public are encouraged to wear orange and post photos on social media with the hashtags #NWZAW and #Orange4Safety. Thursday will be dedicated to a social media push, and on Friday, there will be a moment of silence.
The importance of work zone safety was brought home by highway technician Tim Felton, who stressed the need to take precautions to ensure that everyone can return home safely after work. Steve Lafferty, who suffered serious injuries while working on an ODOT crew in 2002, recounted how a speeding vehicle hit him and his colleagues, causing life-changing injuries. The last ODOT worker killed on the job was John Pasko in March 2018, who was hit while clearing brush along I-680 in Mahoning County. His name was added to the ODOT Worker Memorial, which honors all ODOT employees who have lost their lives while working to keep Ohio’s roads safe.