IDOT and ISP Highlight National Work Zone Awareness Week

VIENNA, Ill. (WSIL) -- As spring construction comes into full swing, prioritizing roadway safety becomes even more critical. The Illinois Departments of Transportation and the Illinois State Police are collaborating to raise awareness about the need for caution in work zones.

According to officials, 13 deaths were reported from work zones in Illinois in the past year.

National Work Zone Awareness Week aims to bring awareness to protecting the men and women working to improve our infrastructure. Local officials are emphasizing the large impact the Rebuild Illinois Capital Plan has on our region.

Ben Wills, Construction Engineer for District 9 said, "This is great for District 9. This is great for Southern Illinois and our communities, it's going to be awesome improvements...but the issue is that that means there's road construction absolutely everywhere."

Wills added, "We're trying to get up to pristine condition as much as possible while we have the money to do so and Rebuild Illinois has given us that chance so the travelling public should be aware that anywhere that they're travelling in Southern Illinois could be subject to road construction."

The theme this year for National Work Zone Awareness Week is "Respect the zone so we all get home." Officials are stressing the importance of slowing down and paying attention.

Law enforcement says they are ramping up enforcing safety measures like "Move Over Law" or Scott's Law, where drivers must change lanes when approaching emergency and construction vehicles on the side of the road with flashing lights on.

Josh Anderton, ISP Troop 10 Commander Captain added, "The law has been in effect long enough now that anybody that is not obeying that law is willingly doing so. So we are just going to be issuing citations for that violation this year."

He says driving apps that alert obstructions or construction ahead will help drivers stay alert to roads they may or may not already be familiar with.

"They're really good about when construction zones are up ahead or you know traffic flow is slower so those things are going to alert you well before the construction zone so driving app can actually aid you in making it to your destination safely," said Captain Anderton.

Officials say this week is a reminder to all drivers that these are more than construction sites. They are workplaces where lives are on the line.