CLEARFIELD – As part of National Work Zone Awareness Week April 7 -11, PennDOT reminds all motorists to slow down and drive with extra care in work zones.
“Every year, highway workers and motorists are injured and killed because of senseless work zone crashes,” said Engineering District 2 Executive Kevin Kline, P.E. “I’m urging all motorists to use common sense, slow down and observe the special laws that apply to work zones.”
Pennsylvania law requires drivers to turn on their vehicle’s headlights when traveling through all posted work zones. Motorists who do not use their headlights could be subject to a $25 fine.
In addition, fines for traffic violations, such as speeding, failure to obey traffic devices and DUI are doubled in active work zones. Motorists caught driving 11 miles per hour or more above the posted speed limit in an active work zone, will automatically lose their license for 15 days.
In 2006, the latest year for which information is available, there were 80 work zone crashes in the nine-county Engineering District 2 area. Statewide there were 1,782 crashes in 2006.
PennDOT offers the following tips for traveling through a work zone:
• Expect the unexpected – Speed limits will be reduced, traffic lanes may be changed and people will be working next to the roadway.
• Don’t tailgate. You may have to stop quickly and by maintaining a safe distance, you will be able to stop without crashing into the driver in front of you.
• Pay attention to the signs. Observe the posted signs until you see the one that says you’ve left the work zone.
• Obey the road crew flaggers. The flagger knows what is best for moving traffic through the work zone safely.
• Be patient and stay calm.
Motorists are reminded to turn on their headlights in the work zone marked with a sign instructing them to do so. Motorists should also slow down, obey road crew flaggers and above all, be patient.