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Work Zone Safety

Work Zone Safety Billboard Design Contest

Photo of the Eyes on the Road Lives are at risk safety message billboard

Hey students! Here is an opportunity to shine! Design a billboard that makes a difference.
  • Are you creative?
  • Do you care about the safety of your friends, family and community members?
  • Do you want to save lives?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, then we have a contest just for you!

And a bonus, you could win up to $250, not to mention bragging rights, and a great addition to your resume or college application.


Work Zone Safety:
The near misses you don’t hear about - YouTube video
 
Every day, hundreds of Oregonians put their lives on the line to maintain, repair, and protect our roads. Work zones are more than just construction sites - they include incident responders, state troopers, tow truck drivers, maintenance crews, flaggers, and cleanup teams working mere feet from fast-moving traffic.

Their safety is in your hands. A moment of distraction or speeding through a work zone can cost lives. Slow down. Stay alert. Drive like someone’s life depends on it -because it does.

What Does a Work Zone Look Like?

Work zones are not always large construction projects. They come in different forms, and you might not even realize you're driving through one.
  • Construction Zones – Paving crews, bridge repairs, lane expansions
  • Traffic Incidents – Emergency responders assisting stranded drivers
  • Maintenance Work – Tree trimming, pothole repairs, sign replacements
  • Towing Operations – Tow truck drivers helping disabled vehicles
  • Traffic Control – Flaggers keeping work zones safe
  • Cleanup Crews – Removing debris, roadside litter, and hazards
Oregon law requires drivers to move over or slow down for all roadside workers - including emergency responders, tow truck drivers, and maintenance crews.

Why Respecting Work Zones Matters

  • Work zone crashes are preventable. Speeding, distractions, and impatience put lives at risk.
  • Workers have little protection. A traffic cone or a sign will not stop a car.
  • Fines double in work zones. Oregon law imposes increased penalties for traffic violations in work zones.
See Work Zone Safety in Action
Click through the ODOT Work Zone Safety Flickr photo gallery to see the real people who work in Oregon’s work zones. These are your neighbors, your friends, and your community members.

Get Involved


Work Zone Safety Media Tool Kit​

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Billboard

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

​​Audio and Video​

Work Zone Safety: The near misses you don't hear about - YouTube video

Signs 30 second radio PSA - mp3
This radio spot can be posted on your company's website or Facebook page.

Pay Attention 30 second TV PSA - mp4
This can be used for broadcast or posted on your company's website, Facebook or YouTube page.

The Transportation Safety Office offers dozens of free booklets, brochures, posters, stickers, and other materials designed to promote safe driving, biking and walking. 
 
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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 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 Facts and Statistics - FHWA
Motor Vehicle Safety Issues - Work Zones - National Safety Council

​Traffic Control Devices

Visit the Work Zone Traffic Control webpage 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 Manual 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

​Are You Interested in Becoming a Certified Flagger?

ODOT has designated the Chemeketa Community College Center for Business and Industry​ as the administrator of flagger curriculum, materials and flagger certification cards. For more information visit the Chemeketa CC webpage.​
 
If you need a replacement flagger card, please contact the Contact Chemeketa CC via email at ccbi@chemeketa.edu or phone: 503-584-7371.​
 
Contacts

Colleen O'Hogan
Program Analyst
971-283-6758
DMV - Transportation Safety Office
1905 Lana Avenue NE
Salem, OR 97314


Mindy McCartt
Public Information Officer
503-507-6045