TIFTON – Each spring Georgia DOT and departments of transportation across the country observe National Work Zone Awareness Week, which is April 3-7 this year.

This year’s theme – Work Zone Safety Is in Your Hands – calls attention to the dangers in roadway work zones. It reminds motorists that their driving behavior in work zones can be the difference between life and death – not only for our workers, but for drivers and passengers. It also reminds workers to remain cautious and vigilant in a work zone.

Today employees in Georgia Department of Transportation district offices paid tribute with a moment of silence to fallen employees who have died in work zone incidents – 59 since record keeping began in 1973.

Southwest District Engineer Chad Hartley asked employees gathered at bridge headquarters to stand and count off to 59 to emphasize what that number represents.

“Fifty nine is basically everybody in the room except the back row and that’s amazing. That’s how many employees have lost their lives,” Hartley said.

The message for employees focused on how workers can protect themselves in a work zone and the need to consistently remain attentive. Hartley reminded employees of the increasing number of people driving impaired or distracted, with one of the largest distractions being cell phones.

The last work zone employee death in southwest Georgia occurred in 2005. Tommy Hudson, a survey party chief, was working on the shoulder of state Route 107 in Turner County when a vehicle crossed the center line and struck and killed him. Hudson had been a Georgia DOT employee almost 22 years.

In all, 14 southwest Georgia employees have been killed in work zone crashes since 1969, when the district began keeping records. Members of the district Georgia Department of Transportation Employees Association presented Hartley with a plaque bearing the names of the 14. The plaque will be displayed at the Tifton district office.

For the safety of our workers and the traveling public, GDOT offers a few important reminders:

• Work zones are not always stationary. Moving work zones that conduct maintenance activities like litter pickup, mowing, pavement marking and sweeping may move slowly and stop intermittently.
• Whenever you drive, always Drive Alert Arrive Alive. That means buckle up; stay off the phone and don’t text; drive alert; and do not drive too fast for conditions.
• In work zones, follow the work zone rules: pay attention – slow down – watch for workers. Also expect the unexpected; don’t speed or tailgate; and obey flaggers and signs.
• Follow Georgia’s Move Over Law – drivers must move over one lane or slow down and be prepared to stop when approaching a stationary law enforcement, emergency vehicle or construction or maintenance crew displaying flashing emergency lights. This includes our Highway Emergency Response Operator (HERO) and Coordinated Highway Assistance & Maintenance Program (CHAMP) vehicles.

Check out Georgia DOT’s work zone safety webpage and video at www.dot.ga.gov/WZS.