Waco, TX – According to the state officials, traffic fatalities in the state’s work zones were down 16% in 2022, decreasing for the first time since 2018.
Despite that, 205 people lost their lives and another 788 were seriously injured in Texas work zones last year. The vast majority of those killed, 85%, were drivers or their passengers.
The “Be Safe. Drive Smart.” campaign offers five tips for safely navigating work zones:
- Slow down. Follow the posted speed limit and proactively adjust your driving to match road conditions. Excessive speed is one of the leading causes of work zone crashes.
- Pay attention. Avoid distractions, keep your mind on the road and put your phone away.
- Watch out for road crews. Roadside workers want to get home safely, too. Always follow instructions and be mindful of construction area road signs.
- Don’t tailgate. Give yourself room to stop in a hurry, should traffic stop suddenly. Rear-end collisions are the most common type of work zone crashes.
- Allow extra time. Road construction can slow things down. Count on it, and plan for it.
TxDOT also reminds motorists of the state’s Move Over/Slow Down law that requires drivers to move over a lane or reduce their speed to 20 mph below the posted speed limit when approaching TxDOT, emergency, law enforcement, tow truck or utility vehicles stopped with flashing lights activated on the roadside.
