Display encouraging safe driving in work zones moves to I-77
LAWRENCE TWP (WJER) (April 18, 2024) – The local ODOT office is promoting work zone safety with a visual reminder of what can happen if you don’t slow down and pay attention.
Spokesperson Lauren Borell says they’re changing things up with a National Workzone Awareness Week display highlighting the fact that 43 ODOT crews have been struck while on the job already this year.
“We can’t stress enough the importance of paying attention and watching for those folks, and this display is just a physical reminder of that. That is actually displayed this year along I-77 Southbournd, just south of Bolivar at our salt reload station.”
There were 4,098 work-zone-related crashes in Ohio last year resulting in 1,433 injuries and nine people including one contractor were killed, and 36-percent occurred while workers were present.
“We all live busy lives. We all have somewhere to get to. It’s just our job as drivers to drive safe, so put those distractions down, keep your eyes on the road, and watch your speed.”
The display typically goes up at the District 11 headquarters in New Philadelphia and represents the lives lost in work zone crashes on Ohio’s roads the previous year.