The Shadow
To the editor:
Motorists often need to share the road with employees and contractors for the Virginia Department of Transportation. They are the crew members on the other side of the cones or barrels, working to build, maintain and improve our transportation network.
We all have the same goal: to get home safely when the day’s work is complete. Despite our best efforts, crashes in highway work zones are far too common and claim too many lives. And 80 percent of the time, motorists and passengers are the ones who get hurt.
Work-zone safety must be a partnership. It is VDOT’s responsibility to give motorists adequate warning of work zones, and to ensure that navigating through them is simple and safe. Drivers are responsible for slowing down, avoiding all distractions, and being patient when lane closures, flagging operations or detours extend their travel time.
April 21-25 is National Work Zone Awareness Week. This year’s theme, “Respect the Zone So We All Get Home,” reminds us that we are in this together. Be a part of Go Orange Day on Wednesday, April 23, by wearing something orange in support of work-zone safety. That same day at 1 p.m., you are welcome to join the annual vigil at the VDOT Worker’s Memorial along Interstate 64 on the east side of Afton Mountain.
Most of all, employ safe driving habits on every trip, every day, to help make sure we all get home.
Todd Stevens, P.E.
Staunton District
Engineer
Virginia Department of Transportation
