On any given day, there are more than 500 active work zones in the state of Oregon, and they operate day and night. It’s imperative that motorists slow down and drive with focus as they approach, enter, and travel through work zones. Dangerous driving behaviors can injure or kill drivers, passengers, construction and utility workers, and public safety professionals.
2011–2015 Work Zone Data
- Oregon averaged 488 work zone crashes, each year.
- Oregon averaged 13 serious injury crashes and 5 fatal crashes each year.
- On average, a work zone crash occurs in Oregon every 18 hours.
- More than one person is hurt every day in a work zone crash in Oregon.
Safety Tips
- Pay attention: Whether you are driving, bicycling, or walking through work zones, observe and obey posted warning signs and flaggers.
- Orange is your clue to slow down! Pay extra attention when you see orange signs, barrels, cones and barricades.
- Expect the unexpected: Speed limits might be lowered, travel lanes narrowed or eliminated, and people may be working near travel lanes.
- Slow down: Obey all speed signs. Speeding is a leading cause of work zone crashes.
Don’t tailgate: The number one reason for crashes in a work zone is tailgating. Don’t follow too closely and slow down.
May is Oregon Transportation Safety Month! Information provided by the Oregon Department of Transportation.