Spring has arrived here in Maryland, which means as the weather improves, more drivers will be on the road. Unfortunately, that can also mean the risk is higher for traffic accidents and that risk can be greater in work zones.
Our highway workers are relying on drivers to ensure they get home safely and with National Work Zone Awareness Week starting Monday, April 3rd, we wanted to remind everyone why campaigns like this matter. Here are 5 reasons to support #OrangeForSafety:
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1. Give them a break In the United States, over 100 workers die each year in road construction activities. – Sources: BLS CFOI data, 1992-1996; and SIC 1661 Contractor OSHA 200 data |
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2.Protect yourself and others around work zones Drivers are the most frequent fatality in work zones. – Source: US DOT FHWA |
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3. Weather can be a factor… Fatal work zone crashes occur most often in summer and fall when drivers and construction projects are most likely to be sharing the road. – Source: US DOT FHWA |
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4. …But speed matters more The majority of fatal work zone crashes occurred on roads with speed limits greater than 50 mph. – Source: US DOT FHWA |
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5. Even if you can afford the ticket, can you afford the price? If you hit a pedestrian at 20 mph, there is a 95% chance they will survive. If you hit a pedestrian at 40 mph, there is only a 20% chance they will survive. – Source: U.S. Department of Transportation’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) |
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Optotraffic takes work zone safety seriously and will continue to work with law enforcement to increase public safety by offering innovative photo enforcement solutions, including monitoring speed in work zones to ensure highway workers have the space they need to complete their jobs safely.
If you are interested in starting an enforcement program in your community or would like more information on any of our traffic enforcement solutions, please contact us today.
