The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation joined with safety partners May 11 at the PennDOT Cedar Crest Boulevard Stockpile in South Whitehall Township, to highlight work zone safety as part of road construction season.

To raise work zone safety awareness, the PennDOT Workers Memorial will be traveling throughout PennDOT District 5, which includes Berks, Carbon, Lehigh, Monroe, Northampton, and Schuylkill counties, over the next several weeks.

According to Penn-DOT statewide data, there were 2,075 crashes and 16 fatalities within work zones in 2016.

Work zone intrusions, defined as when any vehicle enters a work zone without permission or other than directed by traffic control, are a leading cause of work zone crashes.

Statewide work zone intrusions have more than doubled from fiscal year 2012-13 to 2015-16.

Locally, over the past five years in Lehigh and Northampton counties, there have been 11 work zone intrusions.

In East Central Pennsylvania, there have been 61 incidents with 21 resulting in injuries to PennDOT personnel or property damage.

The memorial, which honors the 87 employees killed in the line of duty since 1970, includes reflective vests and hardhats mounted on stands, and was created by Bradford County maintenance workers following the death of co-worker Leah Rumsey, who was hit by a car while flagging in a work zone.

PennDOT offers these tips for motorists encountering work zones:

·Drive the posted work zone speed limit;

·Stay alert and pay close attention to signs and flaggers;

· Turn on headlights if signs instruct you to do so;

·Maintain a safe distance from other vehicles and do not tailgate;

·Use four-way flashers when stopped or traveling slowly;

·Avoid distractions and give your full attention to the road;

·Always buckle up;

·Expect the unexpected; and

·Be patient.

For more information on traffic safety, visit the “Work Zone” information center at penndot.gov.

Join the discussion on social media by using #Slow4Zone or #NWZAW in posts.

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