It seems like a lot of the Kansas City metro area is under construction this time of year.
The hard hats and orange vests don't always protect roadside workers. It's up to drivers to make safe decisions.
The Kansas Department of Transportation is kicking off its Work Zone Awareness Week and urges drivers to think of those working just feet away from traffic.
They offer simple, yet vital tips:
- Slow down
- Pay attention
- Move over
- Put the phone down
The law says drivers have to move over for road workers or at least slow down.
KDOT Superintendent Peter Wiehe knows first-hand what happens when drivers don't pay attention. He's had three close calls on the job, and was seriously injured last year when a drunk driver crashed into his snow plow. He says people often don't understand the effects reckless driving can cause.
"I've had two surgeries on my back. I was off work for eight months last year," Wiehe said. "We just need people to pay attention and look out for us. We're out there for their benefit to make things safe for them, so we'd like them to make things safe for us."
Workers like Wiehe are constantly aware of the dangers. Last year 480 people were hurt in work zone-related accidents, and there were more than 1,600 total accidents. The majority of those accidents happened because a driver wasn't paying attention.
"My biggest fear as a supervisor is having to call someone's spouse about that," Wiehe said. "It wouldn't be a good thing."
Drivers can go to www.kandrive.org to check traffic alerts and every construction project in the state.
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Sarah Plake can be reached at Sarah.Plake@KSHB.com
