[chambernews] Fwd: Motorists asked to "step up and take action" to reduce work zone crashes

[Karen Amundson (Chamber)]

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: 	Motorists asked to "step up and take action" to reduce work 
zone crashes
Date: 	Tue, 17 Sep 2013 19:16:13 +0000
From: 	Gillach, James (DOT) <james.gillach at state.mn.us>
To: 	Gillach, James (DOT) <james.gillach at state.mn.us>



Minnesota Department of Transportation

NEWS RELEASE

395 John Ireland Blvd.

Saint Paul, MN 55155

Sept. 17, 2013                                  Contact: Kevin Gutknecht

651-366-4266

kevin.gutknecht at state.mn.us <mailto:kevin.gutknecht at state.mn.us>

For immediate release Nathan Bowie

651-201-7571

nathan.bowie at state.mn.us <mailto:nathan.bowie at state.mn.us>

**

*MnDOT implores motorists to drive safely in work zones*
/Two recent work zone crashes resulted in death and serious injury/

ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Minnesota Department of Transportation urges 
motorists to slow down and pay attention in construction work zones 
following a deadly Monday (Sept. 16) when at least three people were 
killed within a span of five hours — of which one motorist was killed in 
a work zone and another was seriously injured in a road construction zone.

Yesterday, a motorist was killed in Brooklyn Park near Shingle Creek 
Parkway and I-694, and the serious injury crash occurred on Hwy 212 in 
Plato, Minn., west of the Twin Cities Metro Area.

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) reported that there were 
26,502 _crashes_ in work zones in the past five years, resulting in 41 
deaths and 4,017 injuries.

“Speed and driver inattention are the main causes of work zone crashes,” 
said Charlie Zelle, MnDOT Commissioner. “No one likes to be 
inconvenienced by work zones, but we all need to be patient and drive 
accordingly.”

Motorists are reminded to obey the posted speed limits inside work zones 
as fines for speeding may double. Motorists must further understand the 
dynamic nature of work zones and that they can constantly change. Lane 
shifts and lane closures can take place with regularity, and workers and 
construction equipment are always present and moving about.

DPS cites there have been 258 traffic deaths to-date in 2013, up from 
248 at this time last year. Officials remind motorists, motorcyclists, 
pedestrians and bicyclists that these crashes are preventable: Be 
attentive, drive at safe speeds, buckle up and wear protective gear, and 
drive sober. Officials remind everyone to share the road and drive 
cooperatively, not competitively.

“We’re asking motorists step up and take action to help reduce these 
tragedies,” said Lt. Eric Roeske of the State Patrol. “Crashes are the 
result of unsafe driver behavior or decisions which can be prevented.”

Motorists are reminded never enter a road blocked with barriers or 
cones; not to make unnecessary lane changes; stay off cell phones and 
mobile devices; to be patient and expect delays.

# # #

PAY ATTENTION SLOW DOWN in WORKZONES



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