City Urges Safe Driving in Work Zones

Published on April 17, 2023

Lincoln Transportation and Utilities (LTU) urges residents to drive safely during National Work Zone Awareness Week, April 17 through 21, and all year long. National Work Zone Awareness Week is a national public awareness campaign that spreads the message that we are all responsible for work zone safety. This year’s theme is “You play a role in work zone safety. Work with us.”

“Today and every day, make an effort to give our roadway workers more room. Slow down and move over if you can,” said Liz Elliott, LTU Director. “Thank you for showing your support for those who work tirelessly to maintain our streets and keep vehicles safely moving.”

Recent statistics from the National Highway Safety Administration’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System show there were 774 fatal crashes in work zones across the country, resulting in 857 deaths in 2020. In addition, 117 roadway workers were killed in work zones. The majority of people killed in work zones were motorists, passengers, and pedestrians.

Elliott said these national statistics demonstrate the importance of spreading awareness of work zone safety and how to drive safely in work zones.

Safety tips for driving in work zones include:

• Plan ahead – Expect delays, plan for them, leave early and when you can, avoid work zones altogether by using alternate routes.
• Obey street crews and signs – When approaching a work zone, watch for cones, barrels, signs, large vehicles, or workers in bright-colored vests to warn you and direct you where to go.
• Slow down – Watch for and obey speed limit signs through work zones. Keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you.
• Move over – Most state move-over laws apply when passing work crews and official vehicles are parked on the shoulder with flashing warning lights.
• Avoid distractions – Keep your eyes on the street and off your phone.
• Watch for sudden stoppages – In 2017, 25% of fatal work zone crashes involved rear-end collisions.
• Watch for large vehicles – Do not make sudden lane changes in front of trucks that are trying to slow down. Fifty percent of fatal work zone crashes involve large trucks or buses.

To learn more about safe driving in work zones, visit nwzaw.org. Current information on street closures is available at lincoln.ne.gov/closures or through the Waze mobile app.