MDOT releases new safety video urging motorists to use extreme caution in road construction work zones
Contact:
Bob Felt, MDOT Office of Communications, 989-619-7963
Agency:
Transportation
July 10, 2007 -- The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) today announced the release of a new work-zone safety video aimed at saving lives along highway work zones. Since the road construction season began in March, approximately 12 people have died - all motorists and/or their passengers - in Michigan work zones. MDOT will continue an aggressive public education campaign for the remainder of 2007, in an effort to save as many lives as possible.
"Our goal is still to make this season one of the safest yet," said State Transportation Director Kirk T. Steudle. "We want to drive this point home: by paying attention in a work zone and driving the appropriate speed, the life you save could be your own."
MDOT hopes its work-zone safety video will help motorists understand the importance of driving more responsibly in construction work zones. The one-minute-and-twenty-second video is designed to improve motorist awareness and is dedicated to those who have unnecessarily died in construction work zones.
The top three causes of serious crashes involving fatalities in 2007 appear to involve driver inattentiveness, excessive speed, and alcohol consumption. The crash data also indicates no work zone fatalities in northern Lower Michigan and in the Upper Peninsula this season.
The new MDOT work-zone safety video is available online at www.michigan.gov/mdot. It also is being shown in various Michigan Welcome Centers across the state.
In 2006, there were 18 fatalities in Michigan work zones. One fatality involved a worker.
Protect Michigan families: Where Workers Present Drive 45! - A message from MDOT and Michigan's Give 'em a Brake Safety Coalition
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