Work zone accidents prompt call for road safety
"When you see that we're flagging, pay attention to us, turn your turn signals on and slow down," begs Bre Deshields, a local road flagger.
It seems like a no brainer, especially when there's several signs warning drivers road work ahead, but that's not always the case.
Lee Outten, superintendent of Wicomico County Roads Division, tells 47 ABC they have had several incidents where drivers have blatantly disregarded work zone signs.
"He went around the signs. He went around the road closed barricade, through the cones and in this situation three people even verbally told him that he couldn't go through and he chose to anyway and unfortunately hit one of our county employees," explains Outten.
That's why he stresses that road signs are up to protect both the driver and the worker, so it's important to be mindful around work zones.
"There's multiple signs set up in advance of the work zone so people need to pay attention to those signs, especially when they see orange and black signs. They need to know something is happening up ahead of them and just start being observant of activity in the roadway."
And at the end of the day remember, "we all share these roads and we all depend on them to get from point A to point B."
Because these road crews are just doing their job.
Deshields tells 47 ABC, "I have three kids and I just want to make it back, you know, I just want to make it back at home to see my kids, that's the most important part of being out here."
It's also in your best interest to slow down and follow the road signs because if you don't, you might find yourself getting traffic citations.
In all work zone areas, the fines are double which means you could be paying $300 worth of citations. So next time you see a reduced speed limit make sure you follow it because it's not only money out of your wallet.
"In addition to any other violations that might have occurred particularly with the vehicle accident, those fines can range from reckless driving, negligent driving and so forth which can carry quite a few points on your license and can affect your insurance rates also, which is something most people are probably worried about nowadays," explains Col. Dave Meienschein, Asst. Chief at Salisbury Police Dept.
And if you leave the scene, its actually an arrestable offense. So next time you see crews on the road, just remember they're out there for a reason, to better our roadways so be patient and follow the signs.
