I-DOT Reminds Drivers about Work Zone Safety
By: Jacob Long, WMBD/WYZZ-TV
Updated: April 27, 2012
WOODFORD CO. - This is the time of year you're going to start seeing a lot of orange on the highways.
So the Illinois Department of Transportation wants to make sure it's a safe construction season.
The agency is raising awareness about work zone safety in conjunction with National Work Zone Safety Week.
Illinois drivers are reminded to slow down in all construction zones and watch out for workers.
It's also important to remember it's now illegal in the state to use a cell phone in a construction zone.
If you break any of these laws, it could cost you.
I-DOT engineer Derek Parish said, "There are various fines and punishments for different things, from speeding to cell phone usage to hitting a worker. If you hit a worker, it can be a felony. It can lead to prison time."
Illinois sees several work zone fatalities every year. But the victims are usually drivers and passengers, not workers.
So the Illinois Department of Transportation wants to make sure it's a safe construction season.
The agency is raising awareness about work zone safety in conjunction with National Work Zone Safety Week.
Illinois drivers are reminded to slow down in all construction zones and watch out for workers.
It's also important to remember it's now illegal in the state to use a cell phone in a construction zone.
If you break any of these laws, it could cost you.
I-DOT engineer Derek Parish said, "There are various fines and punishments for different things, from speeding to cell phone usage to hitting a worker. If you hit a worker, it can be a felony. It can lead to prison time."
Illinois sees several work zone fatalities every year. But the victims are usually drivers and passengers, not workers.
