SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Caltrans is urging California drivers to slow down in work zones after 6 contractor employees working on highway projects have been struck and killed across the state since August 10. Three of those deaths occurred in a single incident on September 25 in Riverside County.
Caltrans and its partners held a press conference to emphasize that safe driving through work zones is a matter of life and death. California’s Move Over law requires drivers approaching stopped vehicles displaying flashing warning lights to move over a lane when safe to do so, or slow down to a safe speed if they cannot safely change lanes.
“Behind every cone, every flashing light, every worker in a vest is a person doing a critical job in dangerous conditions,” California Transportation Secretary Toks Omishakin said. “We are asking every driver in California to slow down, move over, remove any distractions and give crews the space and attention they deserve.”
Distracted, impaired and inattentive driving is a major contributing factor to worker fatalities on California roadways. Obeying all traffic laws, slowing down in work zones and driving with maximum attentiveness improves safety for everyone and shows respect for roadside workers that put their lives at risk every day to improve the transportation infrastructure.
“Whether they are Caltrans workers, contractors or anyone who works on the state’s transportation system, they deserve attention from all travelers driving through work zones,” El-Tawansy said. “Safer driving habits can mean the difference between a family greeting their loved one at the end of a workday or never seeing them again.”
Following the incident in Riverside County that claimed the lives of 3 contractors in late September, the department called for an immediate safety stand-down and directed all Caltrans construction teams and contracted partners to review roadside safety protocols. The department is also establishing an executive level safety committee with industry partners to emphasize the shared safety responsibilities on a construction site, propose and investigate opportunities to employ new technology and safety devices in work zones, and review current standards to see where Caltrans contracts can be modified to require additional safety efforts.
Caltrans is asking drivers to be “Work Zone Alert” and maintain awareness of any area of highway or roadway with construction, maintenance or utility work activities, typically marked by cones, barrels, channeling devices, barriers, pavement marking or signs. Drivers should avoid changing radio stations or using mobile phones while driving in a work zone and should not drive with alcohol or drugs in their system.
Reducing vehicle speed is important because it allows drivers more time to react to unexpected changes or hazards. Reduced speeds also protect workers who are often performing tasks in close proximity to moving traffic.