More than a thousand crashes occurred in Kentucky construction and maintenance/utility work zones last year. Six people died and 217 were injured.
This week, the injuries and deaths are being recognized as part of National Work Zone Awareness Week. Jennifer Kirchner is the executive director of Kentuckians for Better Transportation. KFBT is typically known for educating and advocating for all modes of transportation.
“We focus a lot on highway safety. A lot of our members have had employees die in work zones. There was just a terrible work zone accident in Maryland where six men died,” said Kirchner.
Work zones can involve construction workers, maintenance workers, utility crews, mowing contractors, brush cutters, and tree trimmers.
Kirchner said legislation that failed to move earlier this year called for enforcement cameras in active work zones only.
“There’s still a person that watches the video and it involves the county clerks in some way also. So, there’s a process…it’s not just, you know, you get a photo and an automatic ticket. It has to go through a process where it’s validated,” said Kirchner.
Kirchner said similar enforcement cameras in other states have helped to reduce fatalities up to 80 percent in some cases. The KFBT leader noted there were privacy issues raised during the general assembly session. Kirchner expects the bill to be back in the next session.
Tips for driving safely in a work zone include paying attention, respecting posted speed limits, being patient, and keeping a safe distance.
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