KYTC launches state work zone safety campaign

National Work Zone Awareness Week runs through Friday

FRANKFORT, Ky. (April 3, 2017) —The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) has launched its state work zone safety campaign this week in conjunction with National Work Zone Awareness Week, from April 3-7. This year’ theme is “Work Zone Safety Is In Your Hands.”

Last year in Kentucky, there were 674 work zone related crashes, 143 injuries and 10 fatalities. To increase awareness of work zone safety and the lives affected by preventable accidents, KYTC asked the public to support this year’s campaign through sharing work zone stories. Retellings of near misses while working, losing loved ones in work zones and observations of negligent driving behavior were featured in several submissions. Each story stressed the risk of working in a work zone and the lives at stake.

Another element of KYTC’s 2017 work zone awareness campaign is “Glow Orange, Kentucky” week, an initiative inspired by the national “Go Orange Day,” which also promotes work zone awareness. KYTC has invited organizations and citizens throughout the Commonwealth to illuminate buildings, landmarks, bridges, structures and homes with the color orange to show support during the week of April 3-7.

The cabinet encourages the public to submit “Glow Orange, Kentucky” safety selfies taken in front of illuminated structures to Facebook and Twitter using #glowky. Businesses and agencies that have pledged to “Glow Orange” are featured on KYTC’s social media pages.

KYTC asks drivers to practice 10 work zone safety tips:

• Pay attention – put away the phone.
• Respect the posted speed limits – even if workers do not appear to be present.
• Don’t tailgate.
• Keep a safe distance from workers and equipment.
• Expect the unexpected.
• Obey road crew flaggers.
• Allow extra time to get to your destination if traveling through a work zone.
• Keep up with traffic flow.
• Before leaving home or work, check out goky.ky.gov or use the free WAZE app for traffic information.
• Be patient and remain calm. Construction crews are working to make the roads better for you.