Construction zones will be popping up all over Ohio this season. In addition to the increase in traffic and detours, there is also an increase in car accidents in work zones during this season. The Ohio Department of Transportation is hoping to increase safety and reduce the number of car accidents caused by speeding through construction zones through a new safety device.
Work zones in Ohio often see more car accidents compared to other roadways, and one of the biggest reasons car accidents continue to happen in work zones is due to speeding. To address this safety issue, the Ohio DOT has implemented new technology to help reduce car accidents in construction zones by having a portable device that shows slower speed limits in construction zones.
The devices are called variable speed limit trailers and the Ohio DOT is hoping that the safety devices will encourage drivers to slow down in construction zones and reduce their chances of being in an accident.
The devices work by allowing the Ohio DOT to change the speed limit in a specific work zone depending on how much work is being done and when there are more construction workers present. The speed limit devices can be reduced when there are more workers present, as well as change the speed limit back when there is less or no work activity happening in the work zone.
Car accidents in construction zones can be very dangerous to motorists and construction workers. Accidents in work zones continue to be a safety issue in Ohio, as the Ohio DOT reported that more than 20,000 accidents have happened in work zones between 2003 and 2012. In addition, seven Ohio DOT employees have been killed in construction zone accidents during the last 10 years.
These statistics show just how important it is for the Ohio DOT to try and reduce construction zone accidents to protect everyone travelling and working in construction zones. Hopefully the speed limit devices can be a step in the right direction at improving safety in work zones.
Source: 10 TV, "Ohio Officials Trying New Safety Tech In Work Zones," April 15, 2013
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