According to the Indiana Department of Transportation, 269 people have been killed in work zones accidents over the past decade. Victims include motorists and workers. In 2023, according to work zone crash data, 33 people were killed, and more than 1,750 were injured in INDOT work zones.

National Work Zone Awareness Week (April 21-25) aims to remind motorists to be careful around those whose jobs put them along the roadways. Work zones also include utility crews who work along the roadsides to build, repair, and maintain the network of electric power lines. Sometimes, crews can be around the next corner or just over the hill — day or night. 

“All motorists need to keep in mind that our crews can be working at any hour, so they need to be careful when they see signs and flaggers,” said Jon Elkins, vice president of safety, training, and compliance at Indiana Electric Cooperatives.

When motorists see the orange diamond-shaped work zone warning signs and vehicles with flashing lights, they should slow down and prepare for the zone ahead. 

Indiana law requires motorists to approach cautiously and change lanes away from emergency vehicles if they can do so safely. If not, they should reduce their speed to 10 mph under the posted speed limit and proceed with caution. Motorists should not stop in the roadway; this could cause a rear-end collision with other vehicles.

Violating the law can result in a fine and a suspended license. Steeper penalties, including jail time, are enforced for infractions within work zones.

Though move-over laws are only for emergency vehicles, drivers should always be courteous to those parked on the shoulder. Give them room to safely repair their vehicles and help prevent tragedies.

“Our workers already face dangers on the jobs,” added Elkins. “We ask motorists to please not add to that danger by speeding or driving recklessly so closely by them.”

Rear-end crashes are the most common type of accident in work zones. Nationally, four out of five people killed in work zones are drivers and passengers. Here’s something else to remember: It takes just one more minute to travel through a two-mile work zone at 45 mph than 65 mph.

Chris Adam is a freelance writer from Lafayette. Source: nwzaw.org, in.gov/indot/safety/work-zone-safety