# WORK ZONE SAFETY Talking Points: Pennsylvania  

**The Importance of Work Zone Safety in Pennsylvania**

· Pennsylvania has many active work zones across the state. Obey all speed limits, avoid distractions, and maintain extra space between your vehicle and others to keep these areas safe for all. [footnoteRef:1]  [1:  Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT)] 

· Pennsylvania saw 9 work zone crashes involving a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) in 2019, resulting in 11 fatalities. [footnoteRef:2] Prevent further crashes and deaths by slowing down, avoiding distractions, and following all traffic laws.  [2:  Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT)] 

**Sharing the Road**

· Work zones present challenges for truck drivers across Pennsylvania – narrowed lanes, sudden stops, traffic pattern shifts, and uneven road surfaces can lead to crashes and fatalities if they are not prepared and alert. Plan your route, reduce speed, stay alert, and do your part while traveling through Pennsylvania work zones.

· On average, large trucks are overrepresented in work zone crashes. In 2021, over 34% of fatal crashes involved CMVs. This is not uncommon in Pennsylvania, in fact, from 2012 to 2017, Pennsylvania had 38 work zone fatalities involving a CMV, placing the state consistently in the top 10 for work zone fatalities.[footnoteRef:3] [3:  National Work Zone Safety Information Clearinghouse] 

· Large blind spots, long stopping distances, and size constraints make maneuvering large trucks and buses in work zones particularly challenging. Passenger vehicles should be mindful that CMV drivers need to take extra precaution when driving through these areas.

· Pay close attention to road workers and flaggers – give them extra room, always slow when approaching them, and be prepared to stop if necessary.

**How to Drive Safely Through Work Zones**

· There are plenty of resources available to research your routes and check for upcoming work zones. Make sure you know of any road work before embarking on your route and when possible, use detours to avoid having to pass through these areas.

· Reduce speed and obey signs and signals while traveling through Pennsylvania work zones.   

· Be aware of passenger vehicle drivers around you, who may not be aware of commercial vehicle driving challenges, including large blind spots and longer stopping distances.

· Be prepared to stop or slow unexpectedly, and when doing so, activate emergency flashers to alert vehicles behind you.

· When approaching lane closures, move into the open lane as soon as possible – pay close attention to vehicles around you that could be in your blind spot. 

· Rear-end crashes are common in work zones – obey all speeds, avoid distractions, and maintain extra space between your vehicle and the one in front of you at all times.

**Pennsylvania’s Active Work Zones**

· As you travel along Pennsylvania’s busiest roadways, stay alert and watch for work zones. Look for signs and signals, reduce your speed, and carefully maneuver around other vehicles.

· I-80 near Stroudsburg

· I-70 in District 9 (Breezewood to Maryland Line)

· I-78 in Berks County (Two Projects 1- Roadway Widening/Reconstruction, 1 – Bridge Rehabilitation)

· SR 79 in Allegheny County (North of Pittsburgh)

**Where to get more information**

· The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) provides work zone safety shareable materials and safety tips on the *Our Roads, Our Safety®* website. 

· The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation also offers state-specific resources as part of their work zone safety awareness campaign page.

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