Work Zone Awareness

DALTON, Ga. (WDEF)- Construction season is quickly approaching. The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) and the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) are joining the nationwide ‘Work Zone Awareness’ campaign. Reminding drivers to move over and slow down.

“We’re going to have more projects ramping up” said GDOT spokesperson Joe Schulman.  “We’re going to have more people on the roads.”

Last year, 23 people died from work zone related crashes in Tennessee.

“For many of our workers, the work zone is their office” said spokesperson for TDOT Rae-Anne Bradley.

Georgia recorded over 17 thousand work-zone related crashes in 2020 alone.

24 people died in Georgia road construction crashes.

“So when you see these workers on the side, we ask that you slow down” said Schulman. “Keep an eye out. Drive the speed limit and if you can move over a lane so they have space to work and we keep them safe as well.”

Being alert, keeps the driver safe as well.

“Not only do we have people working out there but we have lots of equipment out there” said Schulman. “A car that’s not looking -we have cones and barrels you can run into.”

Remember, work zone professionals are not the only people on the side of the road.

“If you see flashing lights whether it’s the fire department, ambulance, our guys, police, move over a lane” said Schulman. “Give them space to work.”

TDOT SmartWay system offers up to date traffic information on Tennessee’s highway system.

511 Georgia offers up to date traffic information for Georgia’s highway system.