This is National Work Zone Awareness Week’s kickoff and the beginning of road construction season, the Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT) is stressing the importance of safe driving within work zones.
Launching the statewide “Be safe. Drive Smart” initiative, TXDOT aims to heighten awareness.
As summer roadworks gain momentum, TXDOT officials caution motorists to brace themselves for increased road closures, lane adjustments, and the ubiquitous orange cones.
Rebecca Wells, TXDOT district engineer, emphasized, “We’re currently overseeing more construction projects, in terms of monetary value, than ever before in the Atlanta district. This means a heightened presence of workers daily.”
Last year, the TXDOT Atlanta District witnessed 420 traffic accidents within work zones, tragically resulting in two fatalities and 16 severe injuries. Common causes of these accidents included speeding, driver distraction, and reckless lane changes.
In response, TXDOT urges drivers to exercise caution, reduce speed, remain vigilant for road crews, and allocate extra travel time.
Kelli Speer, TXDOT maintenance section supervisor, advises, “Be attentive to the warning signs we provide. We make every effort to alert motorists in advance about our presence in travel lanes.”
Additionally, TXDOT officials reinforce the Move Over/Slow Down law, mandating motorists to either switch lanes or reduce speed by 20 miles per hour below the posted limit when passing work zones. Violation of this law may incur a fine of $1,250 for a first offense.
