Orange Lights to Illuminate Need for Safety in Ohio's Work Zones
ODOT reminds motorists to go “Slow in the Cone Zone”

COLUMBUS (April 7, 2008) - Concerned by the deaths of 14 motorists and more than 1,860 injures from accidents in state's highway construction work zones last year, the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) is trying a new way to illuminate the need for safety – by casting several of its building across the state, including ODOT's headquarters along I-70 in Columbus, in bright orange light.

With the reminder to go Slow for the Cone Zone, ODOT is partnering with members of the Ohio Contractors Association to recognize National Work Zone Safety Awareness Week, running April 7-11.

"Last year, there were 5,418 work zone crashes on our state highway system," said ODOT Director James Beasley. "While that number is lower than the previous year, it is still important for drivers to stay alert, be patient and go Slow for the Cone Zone, for their safety as much as for the safety of our construction crews."

Nationally, there is one work zone injury every nine minutes and one work zone fatality every 8.7 hours. Eighty-five percent of those fatalities are drivers or passengers.

In addition to illuminating many of the department's buildings in orange light throughout the week, ODOT is placing 14 construction cones at locations across the state to remember those 14 individuals who lost their lives in work zone crashes in 2007.

"There are a lot of variables in work zones - the cones, signs, equipment and workers," said Director Beasley. "With reduced speed limits, traffic lane shifts, and people working on or near the road, it's important to slow down and be aware of your surroundings for everyone's safety."