A wonderful benefit to geocachers when TxDOT does a major road project is often a nice pull off area, paved even, along the public ROW. Gotta love TxDOT! So, how about we spread the word to help them out too. Those folks want to go home to their families safe and sound, just like everybody else.
TxDOT reminds drivers that every single day requires caution when driving through work zones. As the state’s population continues to boom, the price of progress can mean more than 2,500 active TxDOT work zones at any given time. In 2017, there were 27,148 work zone crashes in Texas, resulting in 199 fatalities and another 813 serious injuries. The leading causes of work zone crashes statewide – speeding and driver inattention – are entirely preventable. While many TxDOT workers are injured or killed in work zones, it's motorists that make up 82 percent of work zone fatalities.
Driver Safety
Roadway work zones are hazardous, both for workers and motorists who drive through the complex array of signs, barrels and lane changes. Please keep the following tips in mind when driving through work zones:
- Slow down and always follow posted work zone speed limits. Speeding is one of the major causes of work zone crashes. Remember, traffic fines double in work zones when workers are present; fines can cost up to $2,000.
- Pay attention. Workers and heavy equipment may only be a few feet from passing vehicles.
- Don’t tailgate.
- Stay alert and minimize distractions such as cell phones.
- Obey road crew flaggers;
- Expect the unexpected. Delays from highway construction can be frustrating, but it only takes a few extra minutes to slow down for a work zone.
- Plan ahead. Leave a few minutes early when traveling through a work zone in order to reach your destination on time.