Please! Slow Down In New York & Pennsylvania Work Zones

How many times do motorists need to be reminded? Maybe it's just those who abide by the law who are paying attention. And that's a problem.

What am I writing about? Oh, just the usual plea to follow the signs and slow down in road work zones throughout our local roadways throughout the Southern Tier of New York and Northeast Pennsylvania. We've seen crashes in work zone areas that ended up in tragedy more than once. And once is one time too many.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Engineering District 4 based out of Dunmore, PA recently sent out a reminder to motorists about using caution in work zones. Of course the same applies everywhere else in the country as well.

The reminder is in response to an injury to a PennDOT worker in a work zone area in Scranton recently. An incident that could have been much worse.

The employee suffered injuries requiring medical attention and transportation to a local hospital. Work zones may be a temporary inconvenience, but these workers all deserve to get home safely . Please slow down and never drive distracted, especially in work zones where employees are working in close proximity to traffic. Additionally, roadway conditions can change every day. - PennDOT Engineering District 4 Assistant District Executive of Maintenance, Jonathan Eboli, P.E.

PennDOT has some very important safety tips for motorists to adhere to when driving through work zones, not just in Pennsylvania, but New York State and every other state in the country for that matter.

• Drive the posted work zone speed limit.
• Stay alert and pay close attention to signs and flaggers.
• Turn on your headlights if signs instruct you to do so.
• Maintain a safe distance around vehicles. Don't tailgate.
• Use four-way flashers when stopped or traveling slowly.
• Avoid distractions and give your full attention to the road.
• Always buckle up.
• Expect the unexpected.
• Be patient.

You may be in a hurry, but is it worth putting a work zone person's life in danger to shave a few minutes off your commute? You know the answer to that question. Keep our roadway and highway workers safe. Slow down, pay attention to the signs and stay off your phone.