FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE    
Contact:
Michael Goins
Office of Public Affairs
Kentucky Transportation Cabinet
(502) 564-3419
(502) 330-4840
michael.goins@ky.gov
 
Slow Down To Get There
 
Safety Message Urges Motorists to be Cautious &
Reduce Speeds in Roadway Work Zones
 
Frankfort, KY – (April 1, 2005) – Attention all motorists! Now more than ever, road construction is on the rise in Kentucky. So as you make your way to a Kentucky attraction this spring and summer, watch out for the orange barrels and reduce your speed in construction zones.

In an effort to remind drivers to be cautious in work zones, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is promoting work zone safety throughout construction season in conjunction with National Work Zone Awareness Week, which is April 3 – 9. Over the next few weeks, press conferences will be held in construction zones throughout the state. Also, a memorial to those who lost their lives in roadway work zones will be on display at the Transportation Cabinet headquarters in Frankfort on Thursday, April 21st, Friday, April 22nd, Monday, April 25th and Tuesday, April 26th.

Transportation Acting Secretary Bill Nighbert said, "It is the Transportation Cabinet’s number one priority to ensure that our highway crews work in a safe environment while providing safe and reliable roads to the people of Kentucky."

Work zone safety is a growing roadway safety concern in the United States and Kentucky. The latest statistics from the Federal Highway Administration say there were 1,028 work zone fatalities in the U.S. in 2003. In 2004, there were 4 fatalities, 175 injuries and 560 total traffic crashes in Kentucky work zones. Fortunately, these numbers have significantly decreased since 2003 as there were 9 fatalities, 317 injuries and 835 total traffic crashes in Kentucky work zones.

As an attempt to help reduce the number of work zone accidents and fatalities, motorists can follow these 10 Tips for Driving Safely in Work Zones:

  1. EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED!
  2. SLOW DOWN!
  3. DON'T TAILGATE! KEEP A SAFE DISTANCE BETWEEN YOU AND THE CAR AHEAD OF YOU.
  4. KEEP A SAFE DISTANCE BETWEEN YOUR VEHICLE AND THE CONSTRUCTION WORKERS AND THEIR EQUIPMENT.
  5. PAY ATTENTION TO THE SIGNS!
  6. OBEY ROAD CREW FLAGGERS!
  7. STAY ALERT AND MINIMIZE DISTRACTIONS!
  8. KEEP UP WITH THE TRAFFIC FLOW.
  9. SCHEDULE ENOUGH TIME TO DRIVE SAFELY. Call 5-1-1 or go to www.511.ky.gov for Kentucky traffic and travel information.
  10. BE PATIENT AND STAY CALM.

In addition to promoting highway safety in construction zones, the Transportation Cabinet is working to minimize traffic delays in those areas as well. Construction will be performed during non-peak driving hours, such as at night and on the weekends.

To find out where highway construction is going on in Kentucky, KYTC's 2005 construction map will soon be available at welcome centers and rest areas across the state. The map outlines major construction projects along interstates, highways, and parkways. Visit www.511.ky.gov for the latest road conditions.

###