Latest news with #NationalWorkZoneSafetyAwarenessWeek
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Spring and summer increase work zones, posing risks to crews
HENRIETTA, N.Y. (WROC) — Just a few weeks after New York State recognized National Work Zone Safety Awareness Week, Wednesday's event turned the focus to the front crews who work in active zones. 'It's a chance for our employees throughout our region to come together and get. Thanks for, well, job well done. During the winter time, with all the hard and work that they do. And then to talk about the upcoming spring and summer season,' said Cory Martindale, employee safety and health rep for the Department of Transportation. From heavy rain to high winds, extreme weather can leave behind hazardous debris on roadways. Crews are often the first to respond, working quickly to clear the roads and keep drivers safe. But knowing when it's safe to step in—and when it's not—can make all the difference. 'They deal with them quite often when we have bad weather, whether it's flooding, weather, high winds and stuff, and they have to go out and get this, these, this debris picked up off the road. The awareness is great for them to know what they're dealing with and when not to get involved,' said Martindale. With more work zones popping up, road crews face serious risks just feet from speeding traffic. Staying alert is key to staying safe. 'Just keeping themselves aware because work zones are going to be coming out. They're going to be larger out there in the public, and it gives them a chance to, you know, kind of be on the defensive knowing that there are cars speeding by. And all they're being blocked by is a cone. So we try to remind them to, not get complacent and, and be aware,' Martindale said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to RochesterFirst.
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
National Work Zone Safety Awareness Week: G DOT bringing awarness around safer work zones
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – This week is National Work Zone Safety Awareness Week. Georgia Department of Transportation is working with other transportation departments nationwide to bring awareness to safer driving in work zones. The CSRA knows its fair share of road work zones, and G-DOT wants to use this week to highlight the safety of those construction zones. As we head into the spring and summer months, more workers will work on Georgia's roads for maintenance or construction. This year, G-DOT has a theme it wants you to remember to help keep you and those construction workers safe. 'There's actually a slogan for this year's campaign. Respect the zone so we all get home. And that sums it up really well,' said Will Volk, District 2 Communications Specialist, Georgia DOT. G-DOT says work zone safety is a shared responsibility. They hope the slogan reminds drivers to slow down, not be distracted, and pay attention to any construction or maintenance workers, first responders, Highway Emergency Response Operators, Coordinated Highway Assistance & Maintenance Program, or tow truck drivers. 'Do not speed through these work zones because they're just out there. They could have to go into the travel lane at some point to do this work, and if it pops out and you're going too fast, you might not have enough time to react. The same thing goes for distracted driving,' said Volk. 'We may have about five, six signs out. Big arrow board, but a lot of times they really don't see it, and that's because they are a little distracted,' said Tarrod Jackson, Forman, Routine Maintenance in Richmond County, Georgia DOT. ' So, we ask that everybody be aware of us on the road. We are performing a public service and want to see our families at the end of the day too.' In 2024, there were 12,345 work zone-related crashes in Georgia, which resulted in over 4500 injuries, 11 fatalities involving motor vehicles, and 7 pedestrian fatalities. 'People have been injured. People have died, unfortunately before here in Georgia. We don't want that to happen. The target is zero deaths, and we just need everybody to, you know, work with us,' said Volk. As you enter a work zone, stay alert and prepared for any circumstance you may encounter. Just like you, these workers are trying to get home to their families. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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
Georgia DOT recognizes National Work Zone Safety Awareness Week
The Georgia Department of Transportation announced they'd be raising awareness about construction zone deaths on highways. The announcement is part of a national observation of the National Work Zone Safety Awareness Week (NWZSAW), which marks the start of construction season by urging safer driving habits in highway work zones. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] "Georgia DOT prioritizes safety, and the NWZSAW annual campaign promotes safety and protective measures for transportation construction and maintenance workers, first responders, motorists, passengers, and pedestrians while on the road," GDOT said in a statement. The theme for 2025's NWZSAW is 'Respect the Zone So We All Get Home,' according to the department. TRENDING STORIES: Paramedic accused of assaulting patient in ambulance in Cobb County Veteran Atlanta country music radio personality 'Cadillac Jack' has died at age 51 Duluth father sentenced to life for death of his 9-week-old daughter Since 1973, when GDOT says records were first kept for work-zone related deaths, more than 60 GDOT employees and contractors have been killed in work zone incidents. Georgia's 'Spencer Pass Law' aka the 'Move Over Law' makes it so drivers have to move over one lane when an emergency vehicle has its flashing lights on and is parked on the shoulder of the highway, though it makes allowances for space limitations. The law is named for Spencer Pass, a Highway Emergency Response Operator who died in 2011 while helping a driver on Interstate 85. When there's no space to move one lane over, Georgia law allows drivers to slow down instead. In heavy traffic, drivers are required to slow down and be prepared to stop, according to GDOT. To promote safer driving, and the safety of GDOT employees, the department recommends checking out the following educational items from the state's 'Arrive Alive' campaign: Drive Alert Arrive Alive - Distracted driving is a root cause of many crashes, especially in work zones. Drive Alert Arrive Alive is Georgia DOT's statewide safety initiative to educate drivers about simple changes they can make in their driving behavior to prevent crashes, improve safety, and save lives. See & Be Seen – See & Be Seen is the department's program to educate motorists and pedestrians about the shared responsibility of paying attention when walking and driving to maintain safety. From a work zone safety perspective, the Department must ensure work zones are clearly marked, and employees wear visible clothing, especially at night. More information about GDOT's National Work Zone Safety Awareness Week initiatives can be found online here. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
