COLONIAL HEIGHTS, Va.—During the first week of April, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) will observe National Work Zone Awareness Week. This year’s theme is “Working at the Speed of Night” to encourage young drivers to stay alert especially at night. The statewide multi-media awareness campaign targets young drivers because they are the newest and least experienced motorists on the road.

The Richmond area’s Work Zone Safety Week kicks off Monday, April 3 at Henrico High School. Representatives from various agencies, including AAA, Division of Motor Vehicles, Virginia Department of Transportation, Virginia State Police and the Virginia Transportation Construction Alliance will all participate in the awareness campaign.

The purpose of this campaign is to reduce crashes, injuries and fatalities in highway work zones. “Young drivers are particularly at risk for work zone crashes due to their inexperience with different driving conditions,” stressed Tom Hawthorne, VDOT’s Richmond district administrator. “We hope that by instilling proper work zone driving procedures at an early age, those drivers will develop good habits that will carry on throughout their lives…and will ultimately save lives.”

Road maintenance volunteers from VDOT’s Richmond district and the Virginia Transportation Construction Alliance will visit area high schools throughout the week to set up mock work zones. This will give young motorists a chance to practice attentive and cautious driving. The week’s presentation schedule is as follows:

April 3- Henrico High School (Media Day)
April 4- Open High School
April 5- Hermitage High School
April 6- Hermitage High School/ Clover Hill High School (two presentations)
April 7- Clover Hill High School

Work zone safety is important for all drivers. Overall in Virginia, 14 people died in crashes in Virginia highway work zones last year and more than 1000 people were injured in over 2000 work zone crashes. Although highway construction remains one of the most dangerous jobs in America, seven out of every 10 persons killed in work zone crashes are motorists.

VDOT encourages motorists to drive safely through work zones by following these safety tips:

• Expect anything – activity in work sites is unpredictable
• Be aware of construction vehicles moving in and out of work zones
• Drive at posted speed limits
• Obey signs, transition devices, and pavement markings
• Follow the five-second rule to allow more room for vehicles in front of you
• Watch for flaggers and follow their directions
• Look for changes in work zone locations
• Stay alert
• LIReport any work zone problems - call VDOT’s Highway Helpline at 1-800-367-ROAD
• Check road conditions before traveling by calling 511 or visiting VDOT’s web site at www.VirginiaDOT.org
  
  For more information on work zone safety or Work Zone Safety Week, visit VDOT’s web site at www.VirginiaDOT.org.
  
  
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Page last modified: Jan. 18, 2008