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| National Work Zone Awareness Week - April 3-8, 2006 |
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| 04/03/2006 |
Shawn Uhlman
Oregon Department of Transportation
Office: (503) 731-8265
Lieutenant Gregg Hastings
Public Information Officer
Office: (503) 731-3020 ext. 247
The beginning of April means spring is here and in Washington and Oregon it also means road construction projects are starting in earnest. As the weather improves, the number of times motorists will drive through construction zones increases dramatically.
The Portland and Vancouver regional offices of the Oregon and Washington State Departments of Transportation (ODOT and WSDOT), the Washington State Patrol and the Oregon State Police want to remind drivers that April 3 through April 9 is National Work Zone Awareness Week 2006. The goal of the awareness week program is to educate motorists about driving through construction zones and provide them with information and tips to ensure the safety of construction crews and drivers.
2006 Work Zone Awareness Theme
Due to the increases in traffic volume on Oregon and Washington highways, many road construction and maintenance projects now work at night to minimize the effects on the traveling public. To that end, transportation and law enforcement officials urge motorists to note this year’s National Work Zone Awareness theme: Working at the Speed of Night. While there are fewer vehicles on the roads at night, the danger does not diminish accordingly.
Work zone crashes: Facts and figures
- More than 80 percent of fatalities in highway work zones are drivers and passengers, not workers
- Drivers not paying attention is the biggest cause of work zone crashes
- Speeding is the second biggest problem; it is imperative that motorists drive the posted speed limit in work zones
- Nationally, on average, there are three work zone fatalities every day
- Nationally, on average, there is a work zone injury every 9 minutes (160 per day)
- More than 400 work-zone related crashes typically occur in Oregon each year
- More than 600 work-zone related crashes typically occur in Washington each year
- Oregon and Washington work zone fatalities are on the rise
- More than 40% of work zone crashes happen in transition zones prior to work areas
- Work zone crashes tend to be more severe than other types of crashes
- Highway construction is one of the most dangerous occupations in the United States
- The risk of death is seven times higher for highway workers than for an average worker
Work Zone Fatalities
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Year
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U.S.
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Washington
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Oregon
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1999
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872
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5
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9
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2000
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1,026
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8
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6
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2001
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989
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13
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6
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2002
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1,186
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6
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5
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2003
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1,028
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5
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2
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2004
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1,068
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2
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12
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2005
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7
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16*
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Total
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6,169
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46
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56
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*Preliminary figure subject to change
Work zone survival tips
- Slow down, pay attention and stay calm. Work zones aren't there to personally inconvenience you; they're there to improve the roads for everyone
- Merge as soon as possible, when directed. Motorists can help maintain traffic flow and posted speeds by moving to the appropriate lane at first notice of a merge sign
- Some work zones—such as line painting, road patching, and mowing—are mobile. Just because you don't see the workers immediately after you see the warning signs does not mean they're not out there or that there are not changes to the roadway. Observe the posted signs until you see the one that says, "END ROAD WORK"
Try an alternate route. Visit www.tripcheck.com for construction information in Oregon and www.vastrek.org for construction information in Washington or call 511 in either state
- Expect delays—plan for them! Leave early to reach your destination on time
- Finally, remember that even if a work zone looks inactive, people, equipment and obstacles still may be present
### ODOT ###
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