The Ohio Department of Transportation and the Ohio State
Highway Patrol are working together to raise awareness about work zone safety
this season through their Work Zone Awareness Week.
It may seem like common sense, but the best way to stay safe
is to stay engaged, especially when you are driving through construction zones
like that on I-77 near I-480 in Independence.
Seventeen people have died driving through work zones across
Ohio roadways in 2014, according to the Ohio Department of Transportation.
ODOT crews have reports of ten accidents in the I-77 work
zone during the 2014 phase of the project.
"Unfortunately in this work zone they do see a lot of
crashes because people aren't paying attention," says ODOT District 12
spokesperson Amanda McFarland. "They're not ready for the lane merges or
the lane shifts."
Crews are working to replace the bridge deck and improve
drainage on I-77 between I-480 and Grant Avenue. The work zone involves
crossover traffic patterns, closed lanes and a reduced speed.
Traffic merging onto the I-77 NB construction zone from
I-480 WB in Independence. ODOT District 12 spokesperson Amanda McFarland says
10 accidents were reported in this work zone during the 2014 construction
season. (Photo: WKYC-TV)
ODOT and OSHP recommend these simple tips to decrease the
number of accidents and work zone fatalities.
·
Give yourself extra time for your commute
through construction zones.
·
Keep your eyes on the road and be aware of
what's going on around you.
·
Put your cell phone down and keep your attention
on the task at hand, which is driving.
·
Maintain a safe distance between your vehicle
and the vehicle in front of you. Give yourself a reactionary gap.
·
Slow down.
Drivers can expect to see more orange barrels and
construction signs on Northeast Ohio roadways.
McFarland says there are 20 to 30 more construction projects
this season in District 12, compared to 2014. Drivers can prepare to see about
80 active construction projects in Lake, Cuyahoga and Geauga counties this
summer.
http://www.wkyc.com