MEMPHIS, Tenn. — This week across the U.S., Departments of Transportation have launched Work Zone Awareness Week to help prevent fatal car crashes in roadway work zones.
As the Mid-South gets into the warmer months, you may start to notice more crews on the roadways.
Traffic cones and signs line areas like the I-55 bridge as a warning to make drivers aware that they are entering a work zone. However, in the end, organizations like the Mississippi Department of Transportation said this will only do so much and will depend on drivers to pay attention and slow down.
According to a recent study from the insurance company Lending Tree, fatal crashes in work zones rose more than 57% over the course of 10 years, between 2012 and 2021.
A spokesperson with MDOT said that in Mississippi, most of those deaths are from drivers and passengers in the cars involved in the accident.
Breaking down the Lending Tree study, Arkansas leads the Tri-State area at 8th place with the highest percentage of fatal work zone crashes, followed by Tennessee at 22nd and Mississippi at 48th.
According to the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT), so far this year there have been 29 cases of drivers crashing into TDOT vehicles and equipment. In 2023, 22 people died from work zone crashes in Tennessee.
This statistic is why MDOT leaders said Work Zone Awareness is just as much about keeping drivers safe as crews.
“Be safe, put the phone down, pay attention to the signs, pay attention to the traffic stripings that are out there. Those are all good guides for you to move through those work zones very safely,” said Earl Glenn, MDOT Chief Engineer.
According to an MDOT press release, the best strategies to have on the road are:
- Pay attention - Be aware of all signage throughout work zones that can indicate reduced speeds, lane changes and other important information.
- Avoid distractions - This not only includes cell phone use, but eating, drinking, operating radios and GPS and conversing with other passengers.
- Slow down - Lane closures, traffic pattern shifts and reduced speeds are common in work zones. Make sure to slow down when entering a work zone and keep an eye out for roadside workers.
- Move into the open lane - When approaching lane closures, move into the open lane as soon as possible. Be sure to pay close attention to vehicles around you that could be in your blind spot.
- Keep your distance - Rear-end crashes are extremely common in work zones – maintain extra space between your vehicle and the one in front of you at all times.
- Research your route - When possible, avoid active work zones and use any detours that are available.