TxDOT CALLS FOR SAFER DRIVING AS WORK ZONE TRAFFIC DEATHS RISE DURING PANDEMIC
Unsafe velocity is among the main causes of crashes in work zones
AUSTIN – Even with much less visitors throughout the pandemic, Texas work zone fatalities elevated 9% in 2020 in comparison with 2019. That’s why TxDOT is looking on drivers to make security their primary precedence always and particularly when passing by way of energetic building and upkeep work zones on the roadway.
TxDOT’s “Be Protected. Drive Good.” marketing campaign is marking Nationwide Work Zone Consciousness Week, April 26–30, with security tricks to scale back work zone fatalities. Final yr, there have been greater than 22,000 visitors crashes in Texas work zones, with 186 individuals killed, together with 4 highway staff.
“We all know driving by way of work zones will be difficult,” stated TxDOT Govt Director James Bass. “There will be additional congestion, slow-moving heavy tools, non permanent limitations, and automobiles that make sudden stops. We will’t stress sufficient how vital it’s to present driving your full consideration and decelerate—in your security and that of the individuals who work alongside the highway.”
Drivers and their passengers account for almost all of those that have died in work zone crashes. In 2020, Texas work zones had 147 motorists and car passengers killed, together with 35 pedestrians and bicyclists and 4 highway staff.
The Texas Mutual Insurance coverage Firm, which helps employers stop office incidents and their penalties, is partnering with TxDOT to advertise secure driving. The “Be Protected. Drive Good.” marketing campaign outlines 5 key steps drivers can take to navigate a piece zone safely:
- Decelerate. Observe the posted velocity restrict and drive to situations. Unsafe velocity is among the main causes of crashes in work zones.
- Concentrate. Keep away from distractions, maintain your thoughts on the highway and put your cellphone away.
- Be careful for highway crews. The one protecting gear they put on is a vest, a hardhat, and security boots. Bear in mind, they wish to get residence secure, too.
- Don’t tailgate. Give your self room to cease in a rush if you must. Rear-end collisions are the most typical type of work zone crashes.
- Enable additional time. Street building can sluggish issues down. Rely on it, and plan for it.
Visitors fines double in work zones when staff are current and might value as much as $2,000. Failure to heed the Transfer Over/Sluggish Down regulation can even end in a $2,000 advantageous. State regulation requires drivers to maneuver over a lane or scale back their velocity to twenty mph under the posted velocity restrict when approaching a TxDOT car, emergency car, regulation enforcement, tow truck, or utility car stopped with flashing lights activated on the roadside.
“Be Protected. Drive Good.” is a vital element of #EndTheStreakTX. It’s a broader social media and word-of-mouth effort that encourages drivers to make safer decisions whereas behind the wheel, corresponding to sporting a seat belt, driving the velocity restrict, by no means texting and driving, and by no means driving inebriated or different medication. Nov. 7, 2000, was the final deathless day on Texas roadways. #EndTheStreakTX asks all Texans to decide to driving safely to assist finish the streak of every day deaths.
For media inquiries, contact TxDOT Media Relations at MediaRelations@txDOT.gov or (512) 463-8700.
The data contained on this report represents reportable knowledge collected from the Texas Peace Officer’s Crash Report (CR-3). This info was obtained and processed by the division as of Mar. 1, 2021.
