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    PennDOT, PSP Highlight Best Practices for Motorists Ahead of National Work Zone Awareness Week

    April 13, 2023

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    Pittsburgh, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) hosted a media briefing to discuss best practices for motorists while traveling through work zones ahead of next week's National Work Zone Awareness Week, which runs April 17-21.

    While the general construction is season is starting, work can occur year-round. Motorists should expect to see more work zones. The agencies remind drivers to remain vigilant when driving through work zones, not only for the safety of the workers, but for their own safety as well.

    Motorists cited for driving 11 mph or more above the posted speed limit in active work zones will automatically lose their license for 15 days per state law. Fines for certain traffic violations, including speeding, driving under the influence, and failure to obey traffic devices are doubled for active work zones. Drivers can also receive up to five years of additional jail time if convicted of homicide by vehicle for a crash that occurred in an active work zone.

    PennDOT Acting District 11 Executive Doug Seeley discussed the many challenges of keeping motorists and crew members safe in work zones, with speeding being a primary safety concern. He also reminded drivers to familiarize themselves with the laws that are often forgotten, including turning on your headlights when driving through a work zone.

    According to preliminary PennDOT data, in 2022 there were 1,293 work zone crashes, resulting in 14 fatalities statewide. Since 1970, PennDOT has lost 90 workers in the line of duty.

    PennDOT Assistant District Executive of Construction Jason Zang discussed the already underway Route 4070 (Wildwood Road) bridge replacement project, which includes a full deck replacement, construction of new hammer head piers, replacement of the adjacent concrete box with steel girders, and approach paving work. Additionally, a full 247-day closure of the bridge is underway, requiring traffic on Wildwood Road to be detoured. The project is expected to conclude in mid-December 2023.

    For more information on work zone safety, visit www.PennDOT.pa.gov/safety.

    PennDOT's media center offers social-media-sized graphics highlighting topics such as seat belts, impaired driving, and distracted driving for organizations, community groups, or others who share safety information with their stakeholders.

    For regional updates, follow PennDOT on Twitter and join the Greater Pittsburgh Area PennDOT Facebook group.

     
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