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Safety Tips - Work Zones

Each year in Texas, there are approximately 15,000 crashes and more than 100 people killed in highway construction and maintenance zones.

The two leading causes of work zone crashes are excessive speed and the failure to remain alert while driving. As a result, one in three work zone crashes is a rear-end collision.

In 2010, there were 3,073 distracted driver crashes in Texas work zones, involving 7,468 vehicles. These distracted driver crashes resulted in 14 fatalities.

Driver Safety

At any one time, there can be more than 1,000 Texas highway work zones in operation. With so much construction, motorists frequently encounter work zones.

Please keep the following tips in mind when driving through work zones:

• Slow down and always follow posted work zone speed limits. Speeding is one of the major causes of work zone crashes. Remember, traffic fines double in work zones.
• Pay attention. Workers and heavy equipment may only be a few feet from passing vehicles.
• Be patient. Delays from highway construction can be frustrating, but it only takes a few extra minutes to slow down for a work zone.
• Plan ahead. Leave a few minutes early when traveling through a work zone in order to reach your destination on time.

Fines for moving violations in work zones can be as high as $400.

Making Progress

Work zone safety and awareness is critical, both for drivers and the men and women that work on our highways every day. In fact, TxDOT has seen a decline in work zone fatalities for two consecutive years because of increased safety measures and public outreach efforts. While work zone fatalities and crashes have declined significantly, there is still work to do.

• Four out of every five work zone fatalities are motorists traveling through the work zone.
• Forty-five percent of all work zone fatalities for 2010 were 35 years old or younger.
• In 2010, 61 percent of work zone fatalities were male.
• Of the 100 work zone fatalities in 2010, 54 were drug and alcohol-related.

Everyone should take responsibility for work zone safety, from engineers and planners to drivers and pedestrians. TxDOT is working to educate the public and raise awareness of safety precautions for workers and motorists in work zones. Drive safe to be safe.

Work Zone Awareness Week

TxDOT is joining with the Federal Highway Administration and other transportation partners to observe the 13th annual National Work Zone Awareness Week, April 23-27, 2012. Watch our Traffic Statistic Public Service Announcement.

The table below contains audio file highlights from this year's statewide National Work Zone Awareness Week kick-off news conference on April 5, 2011. A video of the news conference is also available.