PennDOT Urges Drivers to Observe Work-Zone Speed Limits, Be Mindful of Workers

PennDOT Urges Drivers to Observe Work-Zone Speed Limits, Be Mindful of
Workers

4/11/2016-KING OF PRUSSIA

Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Secretary Leslie S.
Richards today urged motorists to obey work zone speed limits and drive
safely
around workers on roadways this construction season.

"Work zone safety remains a top priority for the department, and all
highway
employees deserve the public's full attention and safest driving," Richards

said. "Emphasizing how important this is, last year Governor Wolf signed
into
law stiffer penalties for violating work-zone laws or injuring or killing
workers."

PennDOT data shows that 23 people were killed in work-zone crashes in 2015,
one
less than in 2014. Additionally, there were 1,935 crashes in work zones
last
year, an increase from 1,848 crashes in 2014. Over the last five years,
there
were 9,117 work-zone crashes and 105 fatalities in those crashes.

In addition to crash data from police reports, PennDOT monitors work-zone
safety with internal reports. In 2015, there were 135 reported intrusions
in
PennDOT work zones. Of those work zone intrusions, 11 resulted in injures
to
PennDOT employees, 41 caused damage to PennDOT fleet or equipment, and 92
did
not result in injury or damage but had the potential to do so.

As of March 31 this year, there have been 13 work-zone intrusions, with
three
resulting in employee injury, five causing damage to vehicles or equipment
and
eight causing no damage or injuries.

Pennsylvania law states that anyone violating the posted speed limit by
more
than 5 mph will face doubled fines. The fine is determined based on the
amount
the driver is traveling over the speed limit. Governor Wolf signed a law,
effective May 24, 2016, that says any driver who causes serious bodily
injury
within a work zone could face up to $5,000 in fines and a six-month license

suspension. A driver causing a death within a work zone would face up to a
$10,000 fine and one-year license suspension.

In addition, drivers who don't turn on their headlights in posted work
zones
face a $25 fine.

Since 1970, 86 PennDOT employees have died in the line of duty. To further
underscore the importance of the lives of people working on the state's
transportation system, through Work Zone Awareness Week which runs from
April
11-15, PennDOT will continue its #Slow4Zone initiative featuring employees
from
across the state who have witnessed or been injured in work-zone crashes,
or
who have a message for motorists. The campaign emphasizes that each
employee is
a parent, youth mentor or family member who wants to get home safely each
day.

To view the employee testimonials in the campaign visit the "Work Zone"
information center at www.JustDrivePA.com. Join the discussion on social
media
by using #Slow4Zone in posts.

To join the nationwide Work Zone Awareness Week conversation on social
media,
use #NWZAWeek2016 or #SafetyFashion to see what transportation employees
across
the country are wearing to keep themselves safe.

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