HELENA - Governor Steve Bullock recognized April 8th – 12th as “National Work Zone Awareness Week” in Montana in remembrance of Jeffrey Dyekman, Billings District Project Engineer, who was tragically hit and killed in a work zone on I-90 South in Billings.
The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT), Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and public safety organizations statewide are joining forces to urge motorists to take the pledge and “Drive Like You Work Here” to prevent crashes and injuries in construction work zones across Montana.
One sure sign of summer in Montana is an increase in highway construction. MDT would like to remind motorists of the hazards in work zones and the importance of driving with caution through these areas. Last year, 200 crashes took place in construction zones along Montana roadways. Of those 200 crashes, 68 percent resulted in no injuries. However, there was a total of 11 serious injury crashes that resulted in six fatalities.
Motorists have the responsibility to keep workers, passengers and themselves safe by staying alert, obeying work zone speed limits and following posted signs and directions from workers. Most work zone crashes are caused by distracted driving and not obeying posted speed limit signs.
While work zones preserve the safety of workers on Montana roadways, MDT appreciates that they can cause frustration and delay. Motorists are asked to take the following actions when entering work zones:
• Stay alert and give your full attention to the roadway.
• Read road signs and follow instructions from flaggers.
• Turn on headlights to increase visibility
• Do not tailgate.
• Slow down to posted limits.
• Keep up with the traffic flow through work zones.
• Unless instructed to do so, do not change lanes.
• Avoid distractions such as cell phones, eating, putting on make-up and on-board entertainment systems.
• Expect the unexpected. Keep an eye on workers and their equipment.
• Be patient. Remember work zones are necessary to improve roads and make them safer.
Montana’s goal of Vision Zero is moving the state toward zero deaths and zero injuries on all Montana roads through education, enforcement, engineering and emergency medical response. Commit to Vision Zero and “Drive Like You Work Here.”
Get additional work zone safety information and tips for traveling during the construction season at http://www.mdt.mt.gov/visionzero/people/workzones.shtml.
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