On Tuesday, an event in Harrisburg, Pa., urged motorists to slow down and pay attention in work zones.
The event is part of National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW), which runs from April 17 to 21. This year’s theme is “You play a role in work zone safety. Work with us.”
During the event, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PA Turnpike) worker memorials were on display. Since 1940, there have been 45 PA Turnpike workers killed. PennDOT has lost 90 workers since 1970.
In 2022, there were 1,293 work zone crashes and 14 fatalities, according to preliminary PennDOT data.
The agencies monitor crash data from police reports and internal reports. According to those reports, there were eight work zone intrusions in PA Turnpike work zones and 171 in PennDOT work zones in 2022. Collectively, these resulted in 15 injuries and 63 incidents of property damage.
The agencies urged drivers to follow posted work zone speed limits and not drive distracted.
Distracted driving includes using cell phones, reaching for objects inside the vehicle, over-engaging with passengers, changing settings in the vehicle, eating and drinking, and brushing hair or applying makeup.
The Pennsylvania State Police and Associated Pennsylvania Constructors also hosted the event.