GROVELAND 一 Chief Jeffrey Gillen and the Groveland Police Department would like to remind residents of work zone safety tips during National Work Zone Awareness Week.
This year, National Work Zone Awareness Week is held April 17-21. This initiative is held annually to encourage caution, and acknowledge the potential dangers noncommercial drivers may face while driving through a work zone.
This year’s theme is “You play a role in work zone safety. Work with us.” The theme reminds residents and community members to take safety precautions while driving through work zones to ensure those working on and along roadways, including construction and work crews, first responders and emergency service personnel, remain safe amidst oncoming traffic.
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration, 956 people were killed in work zones, which included 778 drivers and passengers, and 173 pedestrians and bicyclists in 2021.
The Groveland Police Department would like to share the following safety tips from the Federal Highway Administration and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration for residents to be mindful of while traveling through work zones:
- Plan ahead. Research your route prior to travel and, when possible, avoid work zones and use any detours that are available.
- Eliminate distractions. Put down your phone and avoid eating, drinking, scrolling through the radio, GPS and conversing with other passengers.
- Be aware of all signage throughout work zones that can indicate reduced speeds, lane changes and other important information.
- Reduce your speed. Work zones may have modified speed limits, pay attention to the posted traffic signs.
- 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.
- Watch out for your surroundings. This includes workers, pedestrians and bicyclists.
- 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.
- Give space for larger vehicles if possible.
- Stay alert. Work zones can often cause slow downs or sudden stops.
For more information on National Work Zone Awareness Week click here.
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