Chester, VA – Today, Monday, April 15, is the beginning of National Work Zone Awareness Week, and Columbia Gas of Virginia and the Virginia State Police are teaming up to remind drivers to follow good safety practices every time they encounter road work crews.
This year’s theme for National Work Zone Awareness Week, which runs through Friday, April 19, is "Work Zones are temporary. Actions behind the wheel can last forever.” Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows in 2021, 956 people died in work zones. Also in 2021, data provided by the Bureau of Labor and Statistics shows 108 highway worker occupational fatalities occurred in road construction sites.
“For Columbia Gas of Virginia, in 2023, our employees experienced 10 work zone intrusions and, thankfully, no one was injured. But these numbers here in the Commonwealth and nationally illustrate the dangers that exist,” said Columbia Gas of Virginia President and Chief Operating Officer Jennifer Montague. “That’s why this week is so important, and why the Virginia State Police is the perfect partner to help share this important safety message.”
“Troopers witness dangerous driving behaviors in all kinds of active work zones across the Commonwealth,” said Lt. Colonel Matthew D. Hanley, Virginia State Police Bureau of Field Operations Director. “It doesn’t matter if that work zone is occurring on the interstate or a secondary route, there are real people whose lives are being put at risk by distracted, fatigued, impaired, and speeding motorists. State police is reminding all Virginians, not just this week, but every week, to please take greater precautions in and around work zones.”
If you encounter work crews on the road, following these simple tips just might save a life:
- Expect the unexpected – Normal speed limits may be reduced; traffic lanes may change; and people may be working on or near the road.
- Slow down – Speeding is one of the major causes of work zone crashes.
- Keep your distance – Keep a safe distance between you and the car ahead of you and don’t tailgate.
- Pay attention to the signs – Observe the posted signs until you see the one that says you’ve left the work zone.
- Obey road crew flaggers – A flagger has the same authority as a regulatory sign, so you can be cited for disobeying directions.
- Stay alert and minimize distractions – Dedicate your full attention to the roadway and avoid changing radio stations or using cell phones while driving.
For more information about Columbia Gas of Virginia’s focus on safety, please visit www.columbiagasva.com/safety. For more information on the Virginia State Police, please visit vsp.virginia.gov.
