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Work Zone Safety

May is Work Zone Safety Month in Oregon

Work Zone Billboard 

May is Work Zone Safety Month in Oregon, a chance to remind drivers: when you see orange, slow down and expect delays. As construction ramps up across the state this spring, keep an eye out for work zones, pay attention and watch your speed. It could save a life.

Oregon experienced an average of 331 work zone crashes involving injuries each year between 2014 and 2018, with an average of 24 of those crashes each year involving serious injuries or deaths. During that time span, 14 highway workers were injured in those crashes and four were killed.

Distracted driving causes the majority of work zone crashes, followed by speeding and driving too fast for conditions. Oregon State Police, encourages drivers to always drive safe, obey speed limits, and to be especially attentive when you see highway workers and work zones. Help everyone stay safe and healthy. Slow down and pay attention in work zones. Not only in May, but year round.

For more information and tips on what you can do to prevent work zone crashes, please visit the following websites.

ODOT News Release - May 4, 2020
AASHTO Journal - May 8, 2020
Keeping Work Zones Safe - YouTube Video


The goal of the Work Zone Safety Program is to reduce fatal and serious injury traffic crashes in all roadway and utility work zones.
 

​Watch Out - 2020 web ad .gif
Easy Does It - 2020 web ad .jpg

Seguridad Publica​ - 60 second PSA

Work Zone Project Maps​

Summer Time means Construction Time in Oregon.  Many roadway projects take advantage of the nicer weather to upgrade, upkeep, and upscale the Oregon driving experience. 

So, when you see orange, slow down and expect delays. As construction ramps up across the state, keep an eye out for work zones, pay attention and watch your speed. It could save a life. 

Oregon experienced an average of 331 work zone crashes involving injuries each year between 2014 and 2018, with an average of 24 of those crashes each year involving serious injuries or deaths. During that time span, 3 highway workers were injured in those crashes and 1 was killed.  Statistically, far more Oregonians are injured and killed than the workers in the work zones, so slow down…your life DOES depend on it. 

Distracted driving causes the majority of work zone crashes, followed by speeding and driving too fast for conditions. Oregon State Police encourages drivers to always drive safely, obey speed limits, and to be especially attentive when you see orange, for highway workers and work zones. Help everyone stay safe and healthy. Slow down and pay attention in work zones. Not only in the summer, but year round. 

For up to date mews about road cnstruction and closures around Oregon, visit the ODOT News Room.

​Work zone safety is a priority for ODOT, our industry partners and law enforcement. We engineer, construct and enforce work zone laws to lower the risk to travelers and workers.

Oregon Projects Tracker
 

Work Zone Safety Media Tool Kit

​In coordination with our partners for the work zone construction season, the Oregon Department of Transportation is making the following work zone safety campaign materials available for your use in print ads.

Billboard "Don't zone out. Stay alert in work zones" - art can work as a billboard or printed poster.

Facebook Ads "Don't zone out in work zones" and "Orange is in. Distractions are out" - These ads can be posted to your company's Facebook page as posts or through a Facebook media buy.

Poster "Don't zone out in work zones"

Rack Card or Mailer 6" x 9" "It's all in the set up"

Vehicle Decals and Magnets "Don't zone out. Stay alert in work zones" - Artwork for magnets and decals that can be applied on vehicles is available in three sizes to give flexibility of application.
Magnet: 36" x 18"
Decal: 3' x 2'
Decal: 4' x 4'

Audio and Video

:30 Radio "Signs​" This radio spot can be posted on your company's website or Facebook page.

:30 TV PSA "Pay Attention​" This can be used for broadcast or posted on your company's website, Facebook or YouTube page.

  • ​Work zone crashes are often more severe than other types of crashes.
  • Most work zone crashes are caused by drivers not paying attention.
  • Speeding or driving too fast for conditions is the second leading cause of work zone crashes.
  • Fines in work zones are double in work zones whether workers are present or not.

Work Zone Safety Fact Sheet
Work Zone Safety Infographic

​ODOT has designated the Chemeketa Community College Center for Business and Industry as the administrator of flagger curriculum, materials and flagger certification cards. To find out more about flagger certification classes is your area visit the Oregon Flagger Training and Certification Program web page.

The Transportation Safety Division offers dozens of free booklets, brochures, posters, stickers, and other materials designed to promote safe driving, biking and walking. 
 
 
There are no costs for ordering these public education and information items if the request is within the program limit amount. For larger orders, a special printing can be arranged at cost. The listings in the catalog are updated as materials are added or discontinued.

Work zones that are set up properly are essential to worker and driver safety. Make sure you are familiar with state and federal requirements for setting up your work zone before you start.

Traffic Control Devices: Visit the Traffic Control Plans web page for the most up-to-date manuals and handbooks.

Device Quality Standards: Use the ATSSA "Quality Guidelines for Temporary Traffic Control Devices and Features" handbook to assess the quality of your devices.

Traffic Analysis: Refer to the ODOT Work Zone Traffic Analysis Tool Users' Guide to optimize lane closures and minimize delays.

Worker Safety: Before you start, check the Oregon OSHA Traffic Control website section for the latest safety guidelines.

Highway Restriction Form
The notice is required for all highway construction work zones or maintenance operations that will close all or a portion of a state highway, an interchange ramp; or, restrict the width, length, height or weight of large trucks. Highway Restriction Notice

 

William Warner
Program Manager
503-986-4195

Transportation Safety Division
ODOT-TLC Building, MS 3
4040 Fairview Industrial Drive SE
Salem, OR 97302-1142
 

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