INDOT Urges Drivers to Watch for Workers During National Work Zone Awareness Week

STATEWIDE– INDOT wants to remind you this week is National Work Zone Awareness Week (April 20-24), a week dedicated to bringing awareness driver and worker safety in highway work zones.

“Work Zone Awareness Week is as much for everyday drivers as it is for those working on the roads,” Governor Eric J. Holcomb said. “We want everyone to stay safe when they are out on our roadways and that is the responsibility of all Hoosiers.”

In 2019, nearly 30 people were killed in work zone crashes, which was the highest loss of life in the last fifteen years, INDOT says. So far, in 2020, 37 people have been injured in INDOT work zone crashes.

“Safety is always at the forefront of our minds at INDOT. We have extensive safety plans in place to prevent work zone crashes, but we need everyone to help make that a reality,” INDOT Commissioner Joe McGuinness said.

The theme for this year’s awareness week is “Safe Work Zones for All: Protect workers. Protect road users.”

Drivers can visit www.nextlevelroads.com to use an interactive online map to see projects that are happening around the state. Governor Holcomb’s Next Level Roads was implemented in 2017. Next Level Roads dedicates more than $60 billion to construction and maintenance projects for at least the next 20 years to improve and maintain Indiana’s state highways, finish major projects, and plan for the future.

State police advise you to do the following:

-Slow Down

-Don’t Drive Distracted

-Pay Attention to Signs

-Watch for the Configuration of Workzones to Change Daily