July 30, 2015 – The Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA), in cooperation with the American Traffic Safety Services Foundation (the Foundation), joins advocates nationwide to urge motorists to recognize and respect the moms and dads, sons and daughters, neighbors and friends who work on Maryland’s roadways. As motorists enter the prime summer driving season, SHA and the Foundation are joining forces to draw attention to the benefits and risks inherent in the work conducted on America’s roadways. SHA is sharing the Foundation’s new video public service announcements on its social media sites. Additionally SHA has updated its e-Road Ready 2015 construction brochure with project status, new photos and new resurfacing projects that have been added since last spring.
Click here for the mid-summer
e-Road Ready 2015.
Kristen Holloway is featured in one public service announcement. Nineteen-year old Kristen worked as a flagger for a contracting company in Texas when she was struck and killed by a driver who entered the roadway work zone. Kristen’s mother, one sister and her mother’s fiancé all worked on the roadway. Thankfully, her mother was not at work on the day Kristen was killed. More on Kristen Holloway’s story can be found here:
http://www.atssa.com/TheFoundation/FoundationVideos.aspx.
Hundreds of times each year, motorists distracted, speeding, impaired or otherwise unable to control their vehicles stray into work zones, which are created according to well-engineered designs, with numerous and often innovative arrays of safety equipment, by personnel trained in the safe conduct of necessary work on the roadway. SHA and the Foundation urge motorists, as they approach a roadway work zone, to think first of the real people behind the lights and cones and barrels. Drivers are also encouraged to consider their own safety: more than 80% of those killed in roadway work zone crashes are motorists.
Work zone crash fatalities have risen over the last two years with 10 Maryland work zone fatalities in 2013 and nine in 2014. Over the last five years, there have been nearly 8,200 work zone-related crashes in Maryland, which resulted in the injury of more than 3,690 people and 31 deaths.
“We ask that all drivers think orange: the color of construction signs and devices, and pay special attention and slow down when approaching roadway work zones,” said Acting Administrator Douglas H. Simmons. “There is little margin for error in roadway work zones, and we’re asking that drivers partner with us to ensure that everyone arrives home safely at the end of the day. Safer driving. Safer work zones. For everyone.”
“Work zones, while essential for maintenance, construction and operation of safe roadways and other infrastructure, can represent variation in tried and true driving routines,” says Sue Reiss, Foundation President. “We do everything within our power to alert motorists to the work zone and clearly delineate a safe speed and path through it,” she adds. “But we cannot get behind your wheel, put our foot on your brake, get inside your car and draw your attention to the transportation workers laboring in heat, cold, and danger – for you.”
The American Traffic Safety Services Foundation is an educational and charitable organization affiliated with the American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA), which joins other traffic safety advocates in moving “Toward Zero Deaths” on America’s roadways. The Foundation sponsors the National Work Zone Memorial, provides scholarships for the dependents of roadway workers killed or permanently disabled in work zone crashes, and works to raise awareness of the need to protect and respect America’s transportation workers. For more information, visit
http://www.atssa.com/TheFoundation. ATSSA represents the road safety, traffic safety, and highway safety industry with effective legislative advocacy, traffic control safety training, and a far-reaching member partnership.
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