CLEARFIELD – PennDOT District 2 joined with other transportation partners and agencies yesterday to highlight the importance of work zone safety for everyone.
National Work Zone Safety Awareness Week, which marks the unofficial start of road construction season, runs April 15 – 19. The event was held in the State College YMCA parking lot, adjacent to PennDOT’s Route 3018 (Whitehall Road) project. PennDOT and external partners had the opportunity to meet with regional media to discuss work zone safety prior to next week’s official recognition.
“Each and every day, our work zone on Whitehall Road is an opportunity to keep roadway users safe – regardless of their mode of transportation. Bicyclists, pedestrians, motorists, mass transit, motorcycles, emergency responders, school buses – they all come through this work zone on a regular basis”, said PennDOT District 2 Executive Kevin Kline. “We are all in this together, and we all carry the responsibility to travel safely, avoid distractions and speeding, and remain alert through work zones. This ensures the safety of travelers, as well as roadway workers.”
Partners joining PennDOT at the event were:
- CATA
- Centre Region Bike Coalition
- Centre Region Planning
- Local law enforcement
- Local municipalities
In 2012, there were more than 1,600 work zone accidents in Pennsylvania, resulting in 21 deaths. Centre County saw 18 work zone accidents in 2012, with no fatalities.
The Pennsylvania State Police and municipal police provide speed enforcement in work zones on state highways. Motorists caught driving 11 miles per hour, or more, above the posted speed limit in an active work zone, or who are involved in an accident in an active work zone and are convicted of speeding, automatically lose their license for 15 days. Speeding in a work zone will also result in points being placed on the violator’s license.
Information on work-zone safety laws and other tips are available under the “Work Zone” information center on www.justdrivepa.org.
You can follow PennDot on Twitter at www.twitter.com/511PAStateCOLL.