OCA Reminds Motorist Awareness While Driving In Ohio Work Zones

The orange bloom of construction barrels in front of OCA marked the association’s annual celebration of National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW), which was held April 21-25. The theme for the 2025 NWZAW was: “Respect the Zone So We All Get Home.”

NWZAW is an annual campaign coordinated by the American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA) bringing awareness to the motoring public about those working on roads and bridges. The five-day campaign has been held nationally since 1999.

OCA member Paul Peterson Co. helped set up the display of message boards and construction barrels at the association to urge motorists to be mindful when driving through project work zones.

According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP), there were 4,000 work zone crashes in the state in 2024. Of those crashes, 35% occurred with workers present. OSHP reports that of the nearly 100 serious work zone crashes last year in Ohio, 22 people were killed and 123 were seriously injured. Nationally, work zone crashes result in nearly 38,000 injuries and 900 fatalities each year.

The contributing factors of work zone crashes are distracted driving, improper lane changes, speeding, tailgating, improper/inadequate signage and poor visibility.

A 2024 survey by the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) showed nearly two-thirds (64%) of highway contractors reporting work zone crashes on their projects. These accidents, according to the survey, resulted in project delays (55%), worker fatalities (9%), worker injuries (29%), public fatalities (24%) and public injuries (66%).

For more information on National Work Zone Awareness Week, visit www.nwzaw.org.

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