SHA Recognizes National Work Zone Safety Awareness Week; Each Year Work Zone Crashes Claim Lives in Maryland           
          
(April 8, 2008) – The Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) urges motorists to “Slow for the Cone Zone,” particularly as national and local partners launch National Work Zone Safety Awareness Week (April 7 through April 11). Organized by the Federal Highway Administration, American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA), as well as State and local partners, National Work Zone Safety Awareness week raises awareness about work zone crashes in an effort to save lives, reduce injuries and recognize the heroes who toil daily to build and maintain safer roadways.          
          
At the national observance launched today in Sacramento, California, workers who were killed in the line of duty from around the country were honored in a somber ceremony. Among those honored today is Rick Moser, a 21-year veteran of SHA’s Frederick Shop who was tragically killed last June when leading a crew clearing debris along the US 340 ramp to I-70.           
          
Last year 10 people were killed in work-zone related crashes in Maryland, including three contractors along MD 175 and two prison inmates in separate litter pick up operations. These crashes are symbolic of a frightening trend. Maryland work zone fatalities more than doubled from 2001 to 2002, and have remained at that level despite engineering, education and enforcement efforts targeted at preventing work zone crashes. While highway construction can be treacherous for workers, four out of five people killed in roadway work zones are drivers and their passengers.           
          
“SHA is proud to be a member of this partnership that recognizes and understands the real dangers that workers face each day while they improve our highways,” said Administrator Neil J. Pedersen. “We engineer work zones to be as safe as possible for both our workers and drivers. Especially during this week, I ask that drivers join us in our partnership – work zone safety is in fact everyone’s business.”          
          
“Slow for the cone zone,” the theme of this year’s National Work Zone Awareness Week, emphasizes the need for drivers to be alert for signs of construction and to be careful to watch one’s speed. Speed limits may be reduced in work zones, requiring drivers to slow. A variety of work zones will be present on State and local roadways as temperatures warm. Work zones may include larger projects that are in place for several months before completion, or pothole repair or litter pick up, which are short term but present equal hazards. SHA maintains all numbered routes in Maryland, with the exception of those in the City of Baltimore and toll roads, which are maintained by the Maryland Transportation Authority.          
          
The Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) asks drivers to “Stay Alert So No One Gets Hurt,” while traveling through work zones at its toll facilities, including those for the I-95 Express Toll LanesSM (ETLsSM) project in northeast Baltimore and the Bay Bridge Preservation Project on US 50/301. For more information on these projects, visit I95ExpressTollLanes.com and BayBridge.com.           
          
Through the three “E’s” of safety - engineering, education and enforcement - SHA is working to reverse the alarming trend of increasing work zone crashes, injuries and deaths along roadways across the State. Motorists, too, have an important role to play in reducing work zone-related crashes and saving lives.           
          
* STAY ALERT - Paying attention to what you are doing is the most important part of driving, especially when approaching and driving through construction zones. Answering a phone, changing a CD or radio station, text messaging, combing your hair or even talking to another passenger can be a deadly distraction.           
          
* PLAN AHEAD – Log onto www.marylandroads.com, then click on CHART for up-to-date information regarding construction and lane closures. Have alternate routes planned and leave extra time to reach your destination.           
          
* SLOW DOWN - In many instances, work zones have reduced speed limits. Slowing down in work zones is crucial for your safety and the safety of construction workers.           
          
* THINK ORANGE - Orange is the standard color for construction activity. If you see orange when driving, be prepared for possible construction vehicles, dust, lane shifts, uneven or unmarked pavement or even stopped vehicles ahead of you.           
          
*TAKE TIME AND ALSO LOOK OUT FOR LIME - Construction workers are now wearing lime-green reflective vests so that they stand out from orange barrels, cones and other construction devices.          
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