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Operation Orange Coming Soon
Drive to Survive: Our Future Is Riding On It
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National Work Zone Awareness Week is April 6-10 |
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PIERRE, SD – During 2008 three people were killed and 66 injured in work zone related crashes in South Dakota. Nationally, for the last decade, about 1,000 people are killed and nearly 60,000 injured in highway work zone crashes each year. Each of these incidents probably could have been avoided if everyone practiced proper safety and awareness measures while in work zones.
“Studies have found that people sometimes are so distracted when they drive, they don’t even realize they have gone through a construction zone. We’re hoping our efforts will alert drivers to be on the lookout for construction zones and always practice safety,” says Darin Bergquist, Secretary, Department of Transportation.
“People don’t realize how dangerous construction sites can be,” says Bergquist. “In many cases, orange barrels are the only buffer separating a highway worker from traffic. We want motorists to think about the workers the next time they are tempted to speed through a work zone. Motorists should remember that just like them, each of those workers has someone anxious to see them arrive home safely after work.”
The Department of Transportation encourages all motorists to practice the following safety tips when traveling through work zones:
- Don’t Speed – Reduce speed before entering a work zone. If other motorists are speeding, don’t follow the bad example. Remember, fines are double in work zones.
- Stay Alert – Dedicate full attention to the roadway. Remember, somebody’s loved one is working in that area.
- Pay Attention – Avoid distracting activities like adjusting the radio and talking or texting on a cell phone.
- Expect the Unexpected – Watch out, not only for road workers in the area, but also for construction equipment.
- Be Prepared to Stop – Signs and work zone flaggers save lives.
- Don’t Tailgate – Maintain adequate and safe distances from workers and other vehicles.
- Be Patient – Remember the work crews are working to improve your future ride.
National Work Zone Awareness Week is April 6-10, 2009. And always, “Drive to Survive – Our Future is Riding on it.”
April 7, 2009 - Media Event
Drive to Survive: Our Future is Riding on it
Speakers: Governor M. Michael Rounds, Capt. Kevin Karley, SDHP; Toby Crow, Executive Vice-President AGC of South Dakota; Darin Bergquist, Secretary, SD Department of Transportation
Photos from the event:
- Work Zone Sign
- Speakers: Darin Berquist, Toby Crow, Governor Rounds, Capt. Kevin Karley
- Darin Bergquist, Secretary, SDDOT
- Governor M. Michael Rounds
- Capt. Kevin Karley, SDHP
- Toby Crow, Associated General Contractors of SD
- Equipment, DOT employees, Contractor Employees
- Equipment, DOT employees, Contractor Employees
- Equipment, DOT employees, Contractor Employees
Video of SDDOT sponsored press conference in Rapid City
Coverage from KEVN-TV, Rapid City
April 8, 2009 - AGC of SD Press Release - Adobe PDF File
April 9, 2009 - SD Department of Public Safety Press Release - Adobe PDF File
April 10, 2009 - FHWA Press Release - Adobe PDF
View or download the Official Poster - Adobe PDF
South Dakota Work Zone Crash Data from 2004-2008 - Adobe PDF
Overview of National Work Zone Awareness Week prepared by The American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA). Visit them on the web at ATSSA.com. Page 13 has a photo of SDDOT's Central Office display of cones memorializing those who have been injured or have died in work zone accidents in SD.
The National Work zone Safety Information Clearinghouse
Kansas DOT - Work Zone Safety Video - Click on, "Behind the Vest"
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