CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – It is National Work Zone Awareness Week.
The annual campaign is focused on spreading the importance of driving safely, especially through active work zones where crews are working close to traffic.
“Distracted driving is the most dangerous thing out here.”
That is the message transportation officials are sharing as they raise awareness about roadway safety.
According to the Fatality Analysis Reporting System, the most recent 2023 report shows work zone crashes continue to claim lives across the country.
Rae Anne Bradley, Regional Communications Officer with TDOT, said driver behavior remains one of the biggest factors in roadway safety.
“As our commissioner likes to say, there is no amount of engineering that can change driver behavior. This awareness effort is so much about our partnership with our workers and drivers on the road. We want our workers to get home safely to their families at the end of the day, but we also want our drivers to get home safe,” Bradley said.
Bradley said the three most important things drivers can do are slow down, move over, and pay attention.
“These are safe driving behaviors that folks should be practicing at all times, not just in our work zones and not just during Work Zone Awareness Week,” Bradley explained.
For those working roadside, the dangers are very real.
Ethan Gaines, a flagger with ByrdLine Traffic Control, said the job can be frightening at times.
“I have been doing this for seven years, and I have been struck twice myself while doing this job,” Gaines said.
He added that one distracted moment can have life changing consequences.
“If I have a word for the community or anybody, it is put the phone down. That text message can wait. That phone call can wait,” Gaines said.
TDOT is also encouraging the public to wear orange on Wednesday for Go Orange Day, which honors those affected by work zone incidents.
Officials say a few simple choices behind the wheel can help save lives and protect the people working to keep roads safe.
