RALEIGH N.C. (NCDOT) – Construction is ramping up across the state, and officials are using the upcoming week as a reminder to drive safely in work zones.
April 11-15 is Work Zone Awareness Week across North Carolina. Drivers should always use caution when traveling through a work zone and follow these tips:
- Turn on headlights so workers and other drivers can see you.
- Dedicate your full attention to the road.
- Never change lanes in a work zone.
Earlier this week, the North Carolina Governor’s Highway Safety Program unveiled the National Work Zone Memorial, as it made a stop at a Welcome Center off Interstate 95. The traveling memorial honors those killed in work zones nationwide, including 37 fallen workers in our state.
In 2021, there were 6,200 crashes in North Carolina work zones, resulting in 29 deaths and more than 2,500 injuries.
“Spring is the season in which work zone repairs are going to be seen all across North Carolina. On large roads, on small roads, rural roads and urban roads, and they’re dangerous areas. The fact is we already have 6 people who have died in work zones in North Carolina,” said Mark Ezzell, Director of GHSP.
For more information, including driving tips, visit this NCDOT webpage.
Speed A Little, Lose A Lot
Next week, the Governor’s Highway Safety Program will also be raising awareness about the dangers of speeding. Driving too fast is one of the main causes of deaths and injuries on our roads.
The ‘Speed A Little, Lose A Lot’ campaign is an effort to crack down on speeders. Law enforcement will use extra patrols and driver checkpoints to reinforce the importance of not driving over the speed limit. Speeding-related deaths have increased by 17% in the last five years.
GHSP is partnering with NASCAR during the upcoming campaign.
For more information about NCDOT Now, contact the NCDOT Communications Office at (919) 707-2660. Additional news stories from throughout the week can be found on NCDOT.gov.
CREDIT – NCDOT PRESS RELEASE