Latest news with #GoOrangeDay
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Niagara Falls to shine orange for Work Zone Awareness Week
Niagara Falls and 12 other state landmarks will be illuminated orange tonight for 'Go Orange Day' and to commemorate National Work Zone Awareness Week. 'Safety for all New Yorkers is my top priority, especially those who have dedicated their careers to ensuring that our roadways are well maintained and safe for motorists,' Gov. Kathy Hochul said. 'This year, I encourage all New Yorkers to do their part by reducing speed, eliminating distractions and staying vigilant in work zones so that our hard-working and dedicated roadside workers are safe.' On Monday, Hochul highlighted April 21-25 as National Work Zone Awareness Week. Throughout the week, the New York State Thruway Authority and State Department of Transportation will be hosting awareness events, lighting digital highway signs with safety messages and sharing important safety reminders on social media platforms. it continues Hochul's commitment to traffic safety, from launching the public awareness campaign, 'Slow Down, Move Over' and signing a bill to expand the 'Move Over' law in 2023. Hochul has proposed making the Automated Work Zone Speed Enforcement pilot program permanent and increasing penalties for repeat violators in her Fiscal Year 2026 Executive Budget, in addition to expanding the program to include Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Bridges and Tunnels and New York State Bridge Authority properties. Additionally, the Governor has proposed enhancing penalties for assaults against transportation workers, extending protections similar to those provided to many MTA and retail workers. These actions will improve safety for both highway workers and drivers. New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said, 'The lighting of state landmarks as part of 'Go Orange Day' is a fitting tribute to the highway workers across New York who work every day in dangerous conditions to make our roads and bridges safe for all New Yorkers. I thank Governor Hochul for her ongoing commitment to protect our state highway workers by supporting the work zone speed camera program and encouraging all motorists to exercise extreme caution in work zones across New York state.' Landmarks to be lit include: • Niagara Falls • 1WTC • Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge • Kosciuszko Bridge • The H. Carl McCall SUNY Building • Alfred E. Smith State Office Building • Empire State Plaza • State Fairgrounds – Main Gate & Expo Center • The 'Franklin D. Roosevelt' Mid-Hudson Bridge • Albany International Airport Gateway • MTA LIRR - East End Gateway at Penn Station • Fairport Lift Bridge over the Erie Canal • Moynihan Train Hall
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
'Our goal is to make sure everybody gets home at night': NYSDOT kicks off Work Zone Safety Awareness Week
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — It's the biggest project in the region for the DOT. As we previously reported, it's a $60 million project to replace the existing bridges on I-490. With 48,000 cars driving this bridge on a daily: Backup is expected. This work zone awareness week the NYSDOT wants to make sure drivers respect the zone. 'We want to get engaged with the public to make sure that they're respecting the zone. And what I mean by zone is the work zone. What I mean by respect is slowing down in the work zone, paying attention in the work zone and moving over,' said Regional Director Chris Reeve. Last week the DOT posted a video on social media of a crash that happened late last year on I-81 near Whitney Point, where one of their highway works was nearly struck by a distracted driver while in a work zone. According to the post, the worker did walk away but they say it could have been a tragedy. News 8's Adelisa Badzic also spoke with Todd Brennessel, the engineer in charge, who said it's important for everybody to make it home to their families. 'Everybody wants to get home,' Brennessel said. 'And that's one of our goals as an individual and as a co-worker, to make sure everybody gets home at night.' Regional Director Reeve also gave News 8 an exclusive look at the bridge, which is about almost taken apart now. Reeve said it is absolutely safe, and they use up every inch that's available for cars to get through. 'This will be the only year there's one lane in each direction,' Reeve said. He added next year it will be wide enough to accommodate two lanes. Wednesday is also 'Go Orange Day' for the DOT, where all the regions dress up in orange to raise awareness for work zone safety. Governor Kathy Hochul announced Wednesday afternoon that New York State landmarks will be illuminated in orange to honor highway workers across New York. National Work Zone Safety Awareness Week is in effect until Friday, April 25. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
NYS asks drivers to use caution in work zones
NEW YORK STATE (WWTI) – New York State officials are asking the public to be mindful of others when traveling through work zones. This week from April 21-25 is National Work Zone Awareness Week. This is to coincide with the start of road construction season with the weather feeling more spring-like. Your Stories Q&A: Are work zone speed limits enforced on weekends and off-hours? This year's theme is 'Respect the zone so we all get home.' Governor Kathy Hochul is promoting work zone safety by urging all drivers to slow down, stay alert and follow New York State's Move Over Law to protect roadside workers and other motorists. Every roadside worker deserves to return home safely at the end of their shift. We're asking all drivers to do their part by reducing speed, eliminating distractions and staying vigilant in work zones so that our hard-working and dedicated roadside workers are safe. A few extra seconds of your time and attention can save a life. New York Governor Kathy Hochul Last year, there were more than 156 crashes in Thruway work zones resulting in one fatality and 30 injuries. Distracted driving, following too closely, an unsafe lane change or disregarding traffic warning signs caused the majority of the crashes. Also, two Thruway Authority employees died and another was seriously injured in separate incidents while working on the New York State Thruway. In its 70-plus year history, 22 Thruway employees have been killed while on duty. In 2024, there were also 322 intrusions in New York State Department of Transportation work zones. These intrusions resulted in the deaths of two drivers who entered the work zones and 138 additional injuries to highway workers and the traveling public. A total of 58 members of the NYSDOT family have died on the job across New York State, dating as far back as 1939. Throughout National Work Zone Awareness Week, the New York State Thruway Authority and NYSDOT will be hosting awareness events, lighting digital highway signs with safety messages and sharing important safety reminders on social media platforms. In addition — at the direction of Governor Hochul — State landmarks will be illuminated in orange on Wednesday, April 23 in recognition of Go Orange Day. Drivers are encouraged to: Slow down when approaching work zones. Move over for all stopped vehicles including roadside workers, emergency responders and disabled vehicles. Stay off phones and avoid other distractions while driving. Follow posted signs and flagger instructions. Over 425,000 Notices of Liability have been issued statewide, with over 38,000 repeat offenders since the AWZSE program began issuing Notices of Liability in May 2023. In locations where the cameras have been present more than once, fewer Notices of Liability are being issued, meaning that people are slowing down when cameras are present. Fines through the pilot program are issued as follows: First Notice of Liability: $50 fine Second Notice of Liability: $75 fine if within an 18-month period of first violation Third and Subsequent Notices of Liability: $100 fine if within an 18-month period of first violation Starting with National Work Zone Awareness Week and continuing through the construction season, the New York State Police and local law enforcement agencies will once again be conducting 'Operation Hardhat' details to enforce vehicle and traffic laws in highway work zones. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
22-04-2025
- Automotive
- CBS News
Maryland leaders urge drivers to be safe in work zones
Maryland leaders are urging drivers to respect work zones during National Work Zone Awareness Week. Since 2023, the state has tried to stop reckless driving and speeding, particularly in work zones. In March 2023, six construction workers died when two cars, driving at more than 100 mph, collided and crashed into the work zone. In January and February of this year, the state said it issued 48,000 citations for speeding across 10 work zones, with some drivers flying down the Baltimore Beltway at more than 130 mph. On a typical day, there are 300 active construction zones with 1,000 workers posted at sites statewide. So far this year, there have been more than 250 work zone crashes. Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller has spearheaded the state's approach to reduce speeding and make the roadways safer. She says roadworkers are critical to the state and deserve to feel safe on the job. "They're the people whose lives depend on the choices you and I make behind the wheel," Miller said. The state reminds drivers to slow down in work zones and drive like their loved ones are working at the construction site. National Work Zone Awareness Week runs until April 25, and Wednesday marks "Go Orange Day" in Maryland, where people are encouraged to wear orange in support of road workers. The State Highway Administration lists major projects on its website , or drivers can visit MD 511 for real-time traffic updates . The state says automatic enforcement cameras mounted on vehicles on the side of the highway are a key to changing driver behavior and stopping speeding in its tracks. Additional cameras will be placed at worksites this year. In January, the state began a new tiered fine structure for speeding tickets. The faster you go, the higher the fine, according to Lt. Gov Miller. The fines also double when workers are present on the roadway. The highest fine is $1,000, which requires a driver to go more than 40 mph over the posted limit. Twenty-three drivers face this fine so far in 2025. "That's not a coincidence, it's a clear sign we still have much work to do," Miller said. Miller says the most concerning statistic is that two drivers flew down the highway in an active work zone at 132 mph and 134 mph, respectively. "In fact, these two vehicles were recorded going faster than the vehicles involved in those deadly crashes [in 2023]," said William Pines, the Administrator of the State Highway Administration. The state says citations are lower in the first few months of 2025 when compared to the same time in the last two years, and with more speed cameras deployed. "Since we have implemented automated speed cameras at more work zone locations, we have seen citations. The amount of speeding has come down," Miller said. In Prince George's County, a grassroots effort to stop speeding on MD 210 is taking hold. SafeRoadsMD is an organization working to create legislation and awareness about speeding statewide. Ron Weiss's efforts have mostly focused on this busy roadway connecting Washington, D.C., to Indian Head, Maryland. "We caught someone last year going 190 mph," Weiss said. Weiss says driver behavior needs to change everywhere, and speed cameras and hefty fines could catch the attention of drivers. "Changing your behavior doesn't cost anything, but it takes a long time to change behavior. It took about a generation to get people to use seatbelts," Weiss said.
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Go Orange Day: Join MDOT in honoring work zone safety
JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – The Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) encouraged everyone to participate in Go Orange Day on Wednesday, April 23 by wearing orange apparel. This is part of Work Zone Awareness Week. In 2022, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation, there were 891 total work zone fatalities nationwide, including an estimated 96,000 crashes inside work zones nationally. In Mississippi, there were four fatal crashes in work zones in 2022. Mississippi marks Work Zone Awareness Week for road safety 'Please join us as we wear orange on Wednesday, April 23, to show our support for the men and women who work tirelessly to keep Mississippi's roads safe,' MDOT officials said. Drivers in work zones are encouraged to slow down, put the phone away, pay attention to advanced warning signs and be alert for roadside crews throughout Mississippi. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
