Illinois Agencies Support Construction Zone Safety Week

Lee Edwards | As of Thursday, April 17, 2014

National Work Zone Awareness week, April 7-11, was recognized by the Illinois State Police (ISP), Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), and the Illinois Tollway among many agencies to encourage motorists to drive safely and slowly on Illinois roadways, particularly in work zones.

Illinois has recognized Work Zone Awareness Week for 13 years. Last Friday, IDOT workers, along with State Police, the Tollway and local labor unions were at rest stops statewide, reminding motorists to drive safely in work zones.

The collaborative campaign raises awareness of “No Cell Phones in Work Zones”, and the “Move Over Law,” both designed to decrease the number and severity of crashes and save lives on Illinois roadways. Illinois Governor Pat Quinn recently signed a proclamation designation the month of April as “Work Zone Safety Month.”

“Workers are busy this season making our roads better and safer, and I urge motorists keep them safe by slowing down and paying attention in work zones,” Illinois Governor Pat Quinn. “We all benefit when our working men and women have a safe workplace, whether alongside the road, in a factory or in an office.”

“With an active construction season set to take place this year, we want to ensure motorists are taking it slow, not texting and driving, using cell phones while driving only if they are hands-free, and not using phones at all in work zones,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Ann L. Schneider. “Driving can be extremely dangerous if motorists are not cautious, so please help us reduce the number of severe crashes and Drive Zero Fatalities to a Reality.”

Speed and inattentiveness are major contributing factors to work zone crashes. All motorists need to be extra careful when driving through a work zone. Roadway conditions can change quickly and motorists need to be able to react appropriately. Traffic can be slowed down or stopped well outside of the actual work area. Conditions such as narrow or reduced lanes, edge drop offs, equipment next to moving lanes of traffic, and lane closures require reductions in speed to safely ravel through work zones.

“Illinois State police officers are launching safety awareness campaigns with IDOT for the upcoming road construction season to encourage motorists to move over and reduce speeds when approaching construction zones on Illinois highways,” said State Police Col. Todd Kilby. “Work zone crashes can have traffic consequences for workers, first responders and the motoring public when drivers are not alert, and paying attention to warning signs and rules of the road.”

New distracted driving laws prohibit the use of all hand-held electronic devices while driving on all public roads in Illinois all the time, which includes work zones. The use of electronic communication devices or any other electronic device, to text, email, compose, read or send electronic messages or access internet sites while driving a motor vehicle at any time is also prohibited.

Under regulations that took effect In 2004, work zone speed fines are $375 for first-time offenders and $1,000 for second-time offenders, regardless of the presence of workers. If workers are present, motorists can lose their driver’s license for 90 days if they get a second violation. If a motorist hits a worker, they face a $10,000 fine and up to 14 years in prison. IDOT and ISP will continue to work together to enforce the work zone speed limits for the safety of our workers and for the safety of the motoring public. Speed indicator boards will be utilized on the interstates to bring increased awareness of speed limits in work zones. Photo speed enforcement vans operated by State Police Troopers will be out in force again this year.

On average, there are 4,800 work zone motor vehicle crashes annually in Illinois. Last year, those crashes resulted in over 1,000 injuries. Provisional data indicates that of the 25 fatal work zone crashes in 2013, there were 29 fatalities with one of those being an IDOT worker.

For more information regarding National Work Zone Awareness Week in Illinois, please visit http://www.dot.il.gov/safetyEng/wzawarenessweek.html.

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