DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) – Two state agencies are teaming up to make Ohio’s highways safer for construction workers.
2 NEWS spoke with ODOT officials about what drivers need to do to keep people working on the roads safe. The Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation and ODOT are joining efforts to keep not just drivers, but everyone safe on the roads.
ODOT officials say making Ohio’s roads safer starts with drivers being more cautious as they pass through work zones, especially with the storms we’ve had the last few weeks.
In 2014, more than 5,100 crashes occurred in ODOT work zones, leaving more than 1,000 people injured and killing 17 others. ODOT says they’re looking for better and safer ways to work.
For example, they’re putting portable rumble strips on the roads that alert drivers to upcoming work zones. I spoke with a local ODOT official who says they’re also taking extra precautions when it comes to the weather.
“The weather, as far as with all this hit and miss rain has slowed us down quite a bit,” ODOT District 7 Deputy Director Randy Chevalley said. “Although when it does dry up we hit it pretty hard. As far as safety goes, again we try to prepare when that storm comes in to shut her down early and get off the roads.”
Chevalley also said for drivers to stay safe in severe weather conditions be sure to always have your lights and wipers running and drive slower than you normally would in and out of work zones.
