NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The 2024 National Work Zone Awareness Week is April 15-19.
"The reason we talk about Work Zone safety is because it's really, truly, for the safety of everybody," said Tim Potter with the Kansas Department of Transportation."About 90% of the time, or nine in ten times, the people who are injured in work zone crashes are motorists themselves."
There were more injuries in work zone crashes last year than the year before.
"Last year, in Kansas, we had nine people who died in work zone crashes," Potter said. "Five hundred and eight were injured. We'd like to get that number down. That's part of the reason we try to raise awareness to this."
Please be focused if you see a work zone ahead.
"The top contributing circumstance of work zone crashes is inattention," Potter said. "People are following the vehicle in front of them too closely. They are driving too fast for the conditions. We do typically have reduced speed signs in the work zones. It's double fines in all Kansas work zones, whether that's a major construction project or a short term maintenance project."
Orange is the primary color in work zones. Go Orange Day in Kansas is Wednesday, April 17. Everyone is encouraged to wear orange and show highway workers and everyone who works along the roadways how much their efforts are appreciated.
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