Work Zone Safety Stressed During April Awareness Campaign

“Drive like you work here…”
April is work zone safety month, and the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration and Governor Larry Hogan are urging motorists to keep focus and drive safely through work zone areas. Spring is a busy construction season.
According to the MSHA, there were more than 7,700 work zone-related crashes in Maryland from 2016 to 2020, and 46 lives were lost. 48-percent of the people who died were drivers of vehicles involved in those crashes, and the leading factors were found to be distracted driving, driving too fast and following other vehicles too closely in work zones.

“Maryland’s ambitious schedule for highway and bridge construction is helping us expand our economy and grow jobs,” Hogan said. “The men and women performing this work deserve our thanks – and our awareness – in the field. By paying extra attention to our driving habits in work zones, we can ensure everyone gets home safely at the end of the day.” 

“MDOT places safety as our top priority, and we’re asking motorists to do the same every time they get behind the wheel,” MDOT Secretary James F. Ports, Jr. said. “During Work Zone Safety Month, we remind drivers to be extra careful in work zones to protect themselves and our crews. Slow down, stay alert and drive like you work here – because your neighbors do work here.”  

Motorists also are encouraged to plan ahead and learn about upcoming roadway projects in Maryland by visiting Project Portal. Drivers can also visit www.md511.org for live traffic updates, including construction delays and closures. For more information on Work Zone Safety, visit roads.maryland.gov and click on the work zone safety banner. Also follow MDOT SHA on Twitter @MDSHA and on Facebook at facebook.com/MDOTSHA.