15-04-2025
ARDOT gears up for National Work Zone Awareness Week
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — The Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) will host its National Work Zone Awareness Week kick-off event on Monday, April 21, at 11 a.m. at the Little Rock Air Force Base.
According to a press release, the Arkansas Legislature recently passed three pieces of legislation in response to the rising numbers in traffic crashes in work zone-related areas. Listed below are the three pieces of legislation:
ACT 117 — Requires driver's instruction manual and driver's license examination to include information about the safe operation of a motor vehicle in a highway work zone.
ACT 209 — Authorizes the use of green lights by roadway construction or maintenance vehicles. Amends the special restrictions on lamp colors and colors that may be used by emergency vehicles
ACT 327 — Amends the law concerning moving traffic violations in a highway work zone to create mobile work zones and assess a fine for a moving traffic violation in a mobile work zone.
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'This legislation is about improving safety for road workers and the traveling public,' ARDOT director Jared D. Wiley said. 'When you encounter a work zone, please slow down, be alert, and obey traffic laws. We owe this to the men and women working to improve our roads.'
Founded by the American Traffic Safety Services Association, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, and the Federal Highway Administration, the National Work Zones Awareness Week campaign is observed every spring, marking the beginning of construction season.
'We see far too many close calls and tragedies in work zones,' Arkansas State Highway Commission chairman Phillip Taldo said. 'These changes give us the tools to better protect everyone on the road.'
The release says National Work Zone Awareness Week will take place April 21-25 to encourage safe driving through work zones across the country.
For more information, visit the Arkansas Department of Transportation's website.
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