WASHINGTON — This week, drivers are being asked to pay special attention when coming up on a work zone. National Work Zone Awareness Week kicks off Monday.
It is about bringing attention to motorist and worker safety, especially since聽 every year.
This is聽15th year for the awareness week. This year’s theme is “Expect the Unexpected,” especially when聽drivers approach聽a work zone.
On Wednesday, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is holding a vigil that is dedicated to transportation workers who have lost their lives while working in roadway work zones.
In Virginia, in 2012,聽there were more than 3,000 crashes in聽work zones.聽 Thirteen people died in those crashes, and more than 1,500 were injured.聽 But what you might find surprising is that most of those who were killed or injured聽in work zones weren’t the workers, but were 聽motorists.
Tailgating or following too closely is a major reason for most of the crashes.聽 Drivers are also reminded聽to go the posted speed for the work zone.聽 In Virginia, you face up to a $500 fine for speeding in a highway work zone.
VDOT shared this dramatic video of a worker’s close call:
