MONTGOMERY – The Alabama Department of Transportation is encouraging motorists to observe National Work Zone Awareness Week by slowing down in work zones and watching for roadway workers.
This year’s theme for National Work Zone Awareness Week is “Respect the zone so we all get home.”
Gov. Kay Ivey has issued a proclamation naming next week as National Work Zone Awareness Week in the state. Other states are also taking part.
In 2024, there were 2,044 work zone crashes in Alabama, resulting in 15 fatalities and 527 injuries, ALDOT said. The number of crashes increased by over 250 from the previous year, while the number of fatalities decreased from 25 in 2023.
“We are pleased to report that the number of crash fatalities in work zones in Alabama reached the lowest it has been in a decade,” said ALDOT Drive Safe Alabama Coordinator Allison Green. “We want to see the number of fatalities and injuries continue to decline, because each of those numbers represent a person.
“Events like Work Zone Safety Awareness Week give us opportunities to bring good information to drivers and roadside workers on how to stay safe in work zones.”
During the spring and summer, there will be more construction and work zones on Alabama’s highways and interstates.
ALDOT offers these tips for driving safely in work zones:
- Know before you go. Check ALGOTraffic to find out if there are construction work zones along your path and allow extra time to navigate those areas.
- Pay attention. It is incredibly dangerous when your eyes come off the road, especially in work zones. Don’t drive distracted by texting, eating or other activities that take your hands off the wheel.
- Slow down. Don’t drive over the posted speed limit through work zones. You may encounter slowed or stopped traffic within seconds.
- Don’t tailgate. Maintain a safe distance on all sides of your vehicle so you don’t clip a nearby vehicle.
- Merge safely. Drivers should not speed to try and pass other vehicles as they merge into the work zone.
Fines for speeding and any other moving violation double in work zones when construction works are present. Work zone crashes are dangerous to highway workers and motorists. National statistics show that four out of every five of those killed are motorists.
For more information on National Work Zone Awareness Week, visit NWZAW.org.
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