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Last updated on Thursday, March 26, 2015
(SOUTHERN INDIANA) - Governor Mike Pence is proclaiming March 23-27, 2015 as Work Zone Awareness Week in Indiana.
Work Zone Awareness Week marks the ceremonial start to highway construction season and intends to draw awareness to motorist and worker safety. More than $1.3 billion will be invested in construction projects to build and maintain Indiana's highways in 2015.
As INDOT increases its focus on preservation, drivers will see more work on existing state highway roads and bridges. INDOT's goal is to maximize both the safety and mobility of motorists and workers while maintaining as much access as possible to businesses, residents and emergency services. INDOT is dedicated to continuously improving work zone safety for workers and motorists. Last year, 11 people were killed and more than 600 people were injured in Indiana highway work zones. Most of these injuries and deaths are caused by rear-end collisions, following too closely or making improper lane changes.
Highway work zones leave no room for distractions and require attentive, cautious driving habits. Do not use cell phones while driving, especially in a work zone. Several studies show drivers using a phone are four times more likely to be in a crash. Other distractions, anything other than driving, can be just as dangerous. Motorists face fines of up to $1000 for speeding, up to $5000 for driving recklessly or aggressively, and up to $10,000 and/or a prison sentence of up to eight years for injuring or killing a worker. These fines are used to fund additional Indiana State Police work zone patrols.
Indiana State Police have 11 white pickup trucks patrolling in and around highway work zones across Indiana. The pickup trucks resemble typical vehicles normally seen in and around highway construction zones. Motorists are urged to comply with posted and reduced speed limits in construction zones to promote safety for the highway workers as well as the motoring public. Motorists that speed or drive recklessly may meet troopers driving the special pickup trucks or other police vehicles. Motorists can learn about highway work zones and other traffic alerts at indot.carsprogram.org, 1-800-261-ROAD (7623) or 511 from a mobile phone. Information about projects and restrictions is also available at www.INDOT.IN.gov or by following INDOT on social media.
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