The Tennessee Department of Transportation is joining states across the nation to remind motorists “Don’t be THAT driver: Work on safety. Get home safely. Every day.” TDOT will spread that message statewide during National Work Zone Awareness Week (April 11-15) in an effort to improve safety in Tennessee’s interstate and highway construction and maintenance work zones.
“Work zones include everything from major interstate widening projects to pothole patching and mowing, and conditions in those areas can change quickly,” said TDOT Commissioner John Schroer. “We want everyone to get home safely, so don’t be that distracted or aggressive driver in work zones. Please pay attention to signs, reduce your speed, and move over when possible.”
The spring and summer months provide perfect weather for highway work, and motorists will encounter work zones across Tennessee in downtowns, along interstates and in rural areas. Last year in Tennessee, 18 people died in work zone crashes, including workers, drivers and passengers.
Work zone safety messages will be displayed on TDOT’s overhead Dynamic Message Signs on interstates in Memphis, Nashville, Chattanooga and Knoxville. There will also be special displays across the state to honor the 109 TDOT workers lost in the line of duty since 1948.
