Saturday, April 19, 2008

Struck By

There have been many "struck by" incidents involving speeding vehicles striking roadside workers in the past several years. There is truly no excuse for "Donkey" drivers in such a rush that they can't spend about 20 seconds to slow down to the posted speed limits in road construction sites.

This speeding also applies to School Zones. Just yesterday, I was traveling on US Highway 43 north of I-65 in Mobile and Washington Counties, Alabama. There are 4 work sites and one school zone on the part of US 43 that I traveled. As I would slow to the posted safe speed in these zones, I got passed prior to lane narrowing points and passed by three vehicles in the school zone with flashing lights directing drivers to slow to 35 MPH.

Below are excerpts from WALB-TV News in Albany, GA on April 18th regarding the roadside problems.

Tifton: Contractors for Georgia DOT will perform major reconstruction of Interstate 75 from the Lowndes/Cook County Lint to the Crisp/Dooly County Line. To ensure motorist and contractor safety, this work will warrant lane closures and traffic shifts along this section of I-75, which could cause short delays. ...
...The DOT notes that the above construction schedules are proposed activities planned by the contractors and may change due to weather conditions or other factors.

As in any work zone, motorists should pay special attention to traffic control devices, signing and marking, and posted speed limits to ensure safe passage through the work zone. Motorists also should double your usual following distance; get into the correct lane well in advance; pay close attention to construction equipment; and be aware of y our surroundings.

Since 1973, 56 state Georgia DOT workers have been killed in work zone accidents. Nationally, Georgia is close to the top for work zone fatalities, but an on-going Work-Zone Safety Awareness Program, which began in 2001, seems to be getting the word out. Georgia's Work Zone Safety Awareness Program highlights the fact that motorists are more likely to die in a work zone accident than workers. Fines for exceeding the limit in a work zone could run up to $2,000 per violation.

Georgia DOT urges travelers to call 511 for updated information about this or any other construction project on Interstates and state routes. Georgia 511 is a free phone service that provides real-time traffic and travel information statewide, such as traffic conditions, incidents, lane closures, and delays due to inclement weather. Callers also can transfer to operators to request assistance or report incidents 24 hours a day, seven days a week. More information is available at www.511ga.org.

The Georgia Department of Transportation is committed to providing a safe, seamless and sustainable transportation system that supports Georgia's economy and is sensitive to both its citizens and its environment. For general information on the Georgia DOT, please visit our web site. (www.dot.ga.gov)

Please, use a little Horse Sense and take the extra 20 to 30 seconds that slowing down in a roadway work zone takes and protect, not only the workers, but accidents and damage to your vehicle and possible injury or death of you and you r passengers. Also, remember the costs, especially in Georgia, could cost you up to $2,000 per incident.

Also, do you have children going to school and trust that they are safe while in school zones with drivers like you?!?!?!?!?!?!


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