UDOT aims to make work zones safer for drivers, workers


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TAYLORSVILLE — Since 2006, more than 25,000 traffic crashes have occurred in Utah work zones, resulting in over 11,000 injuries and 103 fatalities. According to UDOT, more than 32,000 people are injured each year as a result of motor vehicle crashes in work zones.

With more than 180 construction projects planned for 2015, the agency is launching a campaign to remind drivers to focus on the road, particularly in work zones.

On Thursday, in conjunction with National Work Zone Safety Week, UDOT invited media members and state employees to drive through a mock work zone twice — first focused on the road, while the second run included distractions such as texting or talking on a cellphone. No one made it through without striking at least one cone.

To reach zero fatalities, drivers must eliminate distraction behind the wheel, explained UDOT operations director Jason Davis.

“Many Utahns think they are good at handling distractions while driving, when in reality they are just lucky,” he said. In most work zones, lanes widths can sometimes be restricted from 12 feet to just 10 feet, he explained, making driver concentration and awareness even more important when it comes road safety, he said.


“Many Utahns think they are good at handling distractions while driving, when in reality they are just lucky.” -Jason Davis, UDOT operations director

“The majority of (crashes) are going to be people who are not paying attention and aren’t ready for the changes that have occurred in that work zone,” Davis said. Lanes shift and become narrower in order to keep the travelling public moving, and drivers have to be vigilant in keeping their attention focused on the road and variations that take place, he added.

“Unfortunately, sometimes drivers get a little complacent, and all of a sudden when there is a change introduced they react in a way the results either in an injury to themselves or to workers or worse,” Davis said. “We’ve all driven home and think we could do it in our sleep. The reality is that when the work zone becomes active and changes occur, you better be awake.”

About three weeks ago, UDOT incident management team manager Jeff Reynolds was involved in a crash that left one driver hospitalized. He attributed the incident to inattentive driving on behalf of the driver who rear-ended the UDOT truck Reynolds was driving after he had been assisting a Utah Highway Patrol trooper near Parley’s Canyon.

Work Zone Crashes in Utah
Since 2006:
  • 25,000 traffic crashes
  • 11,000 injuries
  • 103 deaths
(Source: UDOT)

“I looked in my rearview mirror and saw a car coming at what looked to be at a high rate of speed,” he explained. “I knew I was going to take an impact, so I accelerated trying to (absorb) the impact and moved to the left side of the freeway instead of taking a direct hit.”

While Reynolds sustained only minor neck injuries, the other driver was not so lucky.

“He was injured quite badly and transported by ambulance to the hospital,” Reynolds said. The driver is recovering, he noted.

Last year, there were 22 fatalities attributed to distracted driving, he said. Being focused on driving should be the primary focus when behind the wheel, he warned.

“Anything can happen at any time. It’s just takes seconds,” Reynolds said. “If (drivers) would just obey the speed limit through the construction zones and pay attention to your driving habits, we’ll all go home safely.”

Contributing: Keith McCord

[listen to ‘Crashes in UT road work zones deadlier for drivers’ on audioBoom](https://audioboom.com/boos/3028047-crashes-in-ut-road-work-zones-deadlier-for-drivers)
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