April 7-11 is National Workzone Awareness Week (NWZAW) which draws attention to the hazards roadway construction crews face from motorists not heeding safety warnings. For 2006—the last year for which data is available—more than 1,000 died in work zones. Figures for 2007 will be released by the National Work Zone Safety Information Clearinghouse later this year. Motorists are also at risk for not following work zone safety precautions. They may face damage to their vehicles, injuries, and loss of life. For 2006, 614 motorists died in work zone crashes. (Graphic by Caltrans)

Below are a few items to think about the next time you’re driving through a workzone taken from a Caltrans fact sheet. More after the break (sorry for the “Duh” ones, but I didn’t write them). As someone who occasionally works on the road and knows many more people who do, please, please remember to slow down!

• Most injuries and deaths in the Cone Zone are from rear-end collisions.
• If you slow from 65 to 55 mph for one mile, you only lose 10 seconds on your travel time.
• The first cause of death for people aged 16 to 20 is car crashes. Even if you don't lose your life causing a car crash, it could still cost you your license or a heavy fine.
• If a car's speed is doubled, the stopping distance is doubled twice over. For example, if a car traveling at 30 mph requires 100 feet to stop, the same car at 60 mph takes not 200 but 400 feet to stop.
• At 60 mph, you're traveling 88 feet per second. A lot can happen in one second, so give yourself plenty of room to stop in case of an emergency.
• For the 15,000 miles of California highway Caltrans maintains, it must buy 120,000 new cones every year to replace ones run over by careless drivers.

More Facts and Tidbits from Caltrans

• As soon as you see orange cones ahead, know you're heading into the Cone Zone.
• Most Cone Zone collisions occur without warning, before cars even reach the cones.
• Focus. Don't talk on the phone or change radio stations. A quick reaction could save your life.
• Slow down as soon as you realize you're approaching the Cone Zone.
• Most Cone Zone crashes are from drivers going too fast and not paying sufficient attention.
• Be patient. Relax and merge early. Drivers who wait until the last second to merge cut off other drivers, causing a dangerous chain-reaction of sudden braking.
• When merging, look over your shoulder and use your turn signal five seconds before changing lanes-even if you believe there aren't any cars around you. A vehicle could be hidden in your blind spot.
• Don't tailgate or change lanes frequently to "find the best one." It's more likely to cause a crash than to save you any real time.
• It takes more force and more distance to stop a heavier car.
• It's easier to stop when driving uphill and harder to stop when driving downhill.
• Road conditions such as rain, snow or gravel reduce your ability to bring the car to a quick, controlled stop. You should slow way down. Aggressive drivers who don't slow down endanger themselves and others on the road; just let them pass you on the left.
• Tires that are worn or improperly inflated can also weaken stopping ability.
• Paying attention in the Cone Zone will improve your reaction time. That's the time it takes to recognize a hazard and react to it.
• At 60 mph, you're traveling 88 feet per second. A lot can happen in one second, so give yourself plenty of room to stop in case of an emergency.
• Remember: Slow for the Cone Zone.

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