By Fox23.com News Staff
TULSA, Okla. — The City of Tulsa is highlighting Work Zone Awareness Week alongside the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) and the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority (OTA).
This year’s theme is “Safe Actions Save Lives,” which aims to emphasize the importance of being cautious and alert while driving through construction zones.
In every construction zone, drivers should be prepared for lane shifts, reduced speeds and changing traffic patterns.
“Every cone, sign and barrier you see represents people working to make Tulsa’s roads safer and better,” said Terry Ball, the City of Tulsa’s Public Works Director. “Work Zone Awareness Week is a reminder that the choices we make behind the wheel, slowing down, staying alert and putting away distractions, those actions can save lives.”
Transportation experts say the most common causes of work zone crashes are distracted driving, speeding or following too closely behind other cars.
Below are some safety tips to keep in mind while driving through work zones:
- “Eliminate distractions, including mobile devices
- Slow down and follow posted speed limits
- Stay alert and watch for workers and equipment
- Maintain a safe following distance
- Avoid changing lanes in work zones
- Follow traffic flow and posted signage
- Plan ahead for delays and allow extra travel time
According to the City of Tulsa, there’s often more than 200 active construction zones across the city during peak construction season.
As part of Work Zone Awareness Week, ODOT and OTA encourage the public to wear orange on Wednesday to show support for construction workers and to help raise awareness for construction zone safety.
