Governor Hogan Declares April Work Zone Safety Month
(March 31, 2022) – To help keep motorists, their passengers and highway workers safe during a busy construction season, the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) is asking all Marylanders to focus and drive safely through work zone areas. Governor Larry Hogan has joined these efforts and has proclaimed April as Work Zone Safety Month in Maryland.
“Maryland’s ambitious schedule for highway and bridge construction is helping us expand our economy and grow jobs,” said Governor Hogan. “The men and women performing this work deserve our thanks – and our awareness – in the field. By paying extra attention to our driving habits in work zones, we can ensure everyone gets home safely at the end of the day.”
From 2016 to 2020, there were 7,704 work zone related crashes in Maryland, injuring 3,263 people and claiming 46 lives. Of those killed, 48% were drivers of the vehicles involved in the crashes. The leading contributing factors in these crashes were distractions, driving too fast and following other vehicles too closely. These behaviors are preventable.
“MDOT places safety as our top priority, and we’re asking motorists to do the same every time they get behind the wheel,” said MDOT Secretary James F. Ports, Jr. “During Work Zone Safety Month, we remind drivers to be extra careful in work zones to protect themselves and our crews. Slow down, stay alert and drive like you work here – because your neighbors do work here.”
With 137 major projects in progress this spring totaling almost $1.5 billion in investment, MDOT SHA is using public outreach, events and social media to spread the word about Work Zone Safety Month. The campaign is intended to protect drivers, their passengers and highway construction and maintenance crews on Maryland roadways.
“Our workers are also mothers, fathers, sons and daughters, and they work hard to improve our roadway system for all users,” said MDOT SHA Administrator Tim Smith. “At the end of the day, we want to make sure everyone – workers, pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists – get home to their loved ones safely. When drivers see our orange cones, barrels and signs that indicate an approaching work zone, they must slow down and be prepared to stop.”
Motorists also are encouraged to plan ahead and learn about upcoming roadway projects in Maryland by visiting Project Portal. Drivers can also visit
www.md511.org for live traffic updates, including construction delays and closures. For more information on Work Zone Safety, visit
roads.maryland.gov and click on the work zone safety banner. Also follow MDOT SHA on Twitter
@MDSHA and on Facebook at
facebook.com/MDOTSHA.
Editor’s Note
From intersection improvements to widening and new interchange construction, MDOT SHA is investing in projects to enhance the commute and daily travel for millions of Marylanders. MDOT SHA maintains more than 2,500 bridges and 17,000 miles of non-toll state roads – the interstate, US and state numbered routes in Maryland’s 23 counties.