To the Editor:
As we enter April in Central New York, the winter blues begin to melt away. We shed our winter coats as the sun makes a more regular appearance and the mild temperatures have us reaching to roll the window down and turn the radio up. But, with that spring fever often comes a flippancy about the rules of the road.
Speed, distracted or aggressive driving, and impairment are common factors in crashes, including those in work zones, where even more discretion is required by the driving public.
Despite the New York State Department of Transportation’s best efforts to ensure the safety of our crews, including the implementation of the Automated Work Zone Speed Monitoring Program in 2023, unnecessary crashes continue to occur, jeopardizing the lives of the men and women working alongside fast-moving traffic every day.
In 2022 alone, there were 441 incidents of vehicles entering a portion of the roadway closed due to construction or maintenance activity. Those crashes resulted in three fatalities and 56 injuries to highway workers and vehicle occupants.
April 15-19 marks National Work Zone Awareness Week. The annual public awareness campaign is committed to educating motorists about the importance of safe driving when entering work zones. The theme for 2024 in New York state is “Your Community is our Community,” reminding Central New Yorkers that the men and women donning the hard hats and safety vests you see as you make your way to work, or run errands, are mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, sons, daughters, friends and neighbors. Their children attend the same schools as yours, they are behind you in the checkout line at the supermarket, sit next to you at sporting events, and share a love for the place we all call home.
As construction season across our region ramps up, and work on the I-81 Viaduct Project moves full-steam ahead, it is imperative that drivers pay extra attention and adjust speeds accordingly when approaching a work zone.
We work hard to get you home safely, but with your help, we can ensure our workers do, too.
David Smith
NYSDOT Region 3 Director
Syracuse