April 20th -24th is designated National Work Zone Awareness Week. This week is designed to bring attention to motorist and worker safety and mobility issues in work zones.
- Over the last 5 years, 4,400 people have died and 200,000 injured in work zone crashes.
- Drivers are the most frequent fatality in work zone crashes.
- Most work zone fatalities involve working-age adults.
- Rear-end crashes (running into the rear of a slowing or stopping vehicle) are the most common type of work zone crash.
- Fatal work zone crashes occur most often in summer and fall.
- The majority of fatal work zone crashes occurred on roads with speed limits greater than 50 mph.
- Stopping distance for motor vehicles at 50 mph:
-Dry roadway300 ft
-Wet roadway400 ft
-Icy pavement1250 ft
- A loaded 80,000 lb. tractor-trailer requires almost 50% more stopping distance.
- It takes only an extra 25 seconds to cover 1 mile at 45 mph compared to 65 mph.
Tips for the Driver
- Stay Alert and Minimize Distractions
- Keep Your Headlights On
- Pay Attention to the Road
- Merge into the Proper Lane
- Don’t Tailgate
- Obey the Posted Speed Limit
- Change Lanes Safely
- Follow Instructions form Flaggers
- Expect the Unexpected
BE PATIENT
Additional resources
FHWA-Developed Resources PDF
Trucking Safely Through Work Zones PDF