Officials Advocate for Safe Driving in Work Zone

As the summer begins to wind down, now's a great time to remind motorists that we still have a lot of active work on our roadways. This means there are still people working who need motorists to pay attention for their safety. The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), Ohio Laborers Employers Cooperation and Education Trust (LECET), and Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) where joined today by Kenmore Construction and Dana King, mother of a roadside worker killed while in a work zone, at a press conference to remind motorists of the importance of safe driving in work zones and the state's Move Over law.

There have been 1,826 work zone crashes in Ohio so far this year. ODOT alone has been struck 54 times to date, compared to the 56 in all of 2023.

"Work zone safety is the top priority of Ohio LECET. Our members and signatory contractors work hard in some of the harshest elements, making Ohio's roadways safer," said Shella Rupa, Assistant Director of Ohio LECET.

The most common factor in work zone crashes is following too closely and speed. Traffic patterns change often in work zones, and equipment is moving in and out of the zone. Drivers MUST be more attentive and avoid distractions when driving through work zones and MOVE OVER & SLOW DOWN for all vehicles with flashing lights.

"Our troopers have an unwavering dedication to protecting those who maintain our roadways and keep Ohio moving," said Lieutenant Todd Roberts, Ohio State Highway Patrol Wooster Post Commander. "They are fully committed to looking for those dangerous behaviors such as distracted driving and unsafe speed within work zones."

Dana King shared a heart wrenching story about how she lost her son in a work zone crash, "All I can ask of you, is to please slow down and pay attention. Put your phone down and realize these accidents happen in a split second. One small distraction can cause a lifetime of devastation."

It's important to remind motorists that Ohio's law requires all drivers to move over when approaching any vehicle with flashing lights, of any color, parked on the roadside. If moving over is not possible, motorists should slow down and proceed with caution.