The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) is joining states across the nation to ask motorists to “Work with Us – move over and slow down for highway workers.” TDOT will spread that message statewide during National Work Zone Awareness Week (April 15-19) to improve safety in Tennessee’s interstate and highway construction and maintenance work zones. This year’s theme is “Work zones are temporary, your actions behind the wheel can last forever.”
So far this year, there have been 29 incidents where drivers crashed into TDOT equipment and vehicles. Last year in Tennessee, there were 2,832 total crashes, 634 with injuries and 22 fatalities in work zones on Tennessee roads. TDOT reports that 113 workers have been killed while working on Tennessee’s roads.
Do your part to keep yourself and TDOT road workers safe – check TDOT SmartWay in advance and Know BEFORE You Go, secure your phone in a hands-free device, and Work With Us by moving over and slowing down when you see vehicles with flashing lights.