Lombard Public Works is joining with the Illinois Department of Transportation, Illinois State Police, Illinois Tollway, Secretary of State Jesse White, industry partners and frontline construction workers throughout Illinois for National Work Zone Awareness Week, April 26 - 30th, asking the public to “Drive safe. Work safe. Save lives.”
The 2021 National Work Zone Awareness Week theme is “Drive safe. Work safe. Save lives,” reinforcing the message that reaching a goal of zero work zone fatalities is truly a team effort by the public and the people who build our infrastructure. Throughout this construction season, the public should be on alert for lane closures, changes in traffic patterns, reduced speed limits and the presence of workers and equipment. To promote safety in the field this week, IDOT is once again promoting “tailgate talks” among its staff to give workers refreshers on work zone protocol.
Each year, more than 6,400 motor vehicle crashes on average occur in Illinois work zones, resulting in more than 1,700 injuries. In 2020, 37 people died in work zones in Illinois, including two workers.
The following guidelines for traveling through work zones should be followed at all times:
- Drop it and drive. Phones and electronic devices down at all times – it’s the law.
- Obey the signs. They will help you safely navigate work zones – and sometimes avoid delays.
- Slow down. The posted speed limits are there for the safety of workers and you.
- Be on the lookout for slowed or stopped traffic.
- Consider the limitations of heavy equipment, trucks and commercial vehicles. Provide them extra distance to come to a complete stop if they are behind you.
“We have a responsibility to protect the people who work on and maintain our roads by driving safely and responsibly,” said Secretary of State Jesse White. “When you approach a construction zone, reduce your speed and pay attention – that means putting your phone away and keeping your eyes on the road. I am pleased to join with Gov. Pritzker and our state’s traffic safety partners in making sure that the roads of Illinois are the safest ever.”
Work zone safety is yet another element of IDOT’s comprehensive multimedia campaign, Life or Death Illinois, highlighting the incredible responsibility of each driver to make good decisions and decrease the number of lives lost each year. Visit lifeordeathillinois.com for more information.