G-DOT Asks Motorists to Use Extra Caution in Work Zones This Summer

April 26-30 is National Work Zone Safety Awareness Week

Each spring the Georgia Department of Transportation, along with departments of transportation across the country, observe National Work Zone Safety Awareness Week to educate motorists about the dangers of work zones and to remind drivers to slow down, move over a lane, pay close attention, and take extra precautions when driving through work zones.

This annual observance sheds light on the real dangers faced by workers as well as drivers and passengers.

This year’s theme—Drive Safe. Work Safe. Save Lives.

“We still have a lot of work to do to reduce work zones injuries and fatalities or better yet, eliminate them entirely,” said Georgia DOT Commissioner Russell R. McMurry, P.E. “This year’s theme, Drive Safe. Work Safe. Save Lives., helps educate everyone about the perils we all face in work zones – whether we drive through them or work in them. That near-miss this time could be loss of life and many lives changed forever next time.”

In 2020, there were 17,297 work zone-related crashes in Georgia resulting in 5,123 injuries, and 24 fatalities.

53 percent of those work zone crashes were roadway departure and rear-end crashes.

7 fatalities involved commercial motor vehicles, and 2 were pedestrian fatalities

Since 1973, when record-keeping began, more than 60 Georgia DOT employees and contractors have died in work zone-related incidents.

G-DOT offers some safety tips for motorists when encountering road work or construction:

Watch for road workers.

Expect the Unexpected. Things may change quickly. Normal speed limits may be reduced, traffic lanes may be closed, narrowed, or shifted, and people may work on or near the road.

Slow Down. Don’t Tailgate. Speed is a factor in many crashes. Keep a safe distance between you and the car ahead of you, and move over a lane to provide additional space for the construction workers and their equipment.

Obey Road Crew Flaggers and,

Pay Attention to Signs.