207-871-7771 877-682-9433

Exit 44 Open Road Tolling (ORT) Project - Traffic Pattern Change

Maine Turnpike Authority Logo FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 06, 2018
Erin Courtney
513-2982
ecourtney@maineturnpike.com
CONTACT: Dan Morin (MTA)
838-8613
dmorin@maineturnpike.com


National Work Zone Awareness Week: April 9 - 13

Work Zone Safety:  Everybody's Responsibility

PORTLAND, Maine - National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW) 2018 is taking place April 9 - 13 and is a way to raise public awareness of work zone hazards.  Motorists are encouraged to slow to posted speed limits, eliminate distractions while driving, and be watchful for roadway workers and their equipment.  This year's NWZAW theme is Work Zone Safety: Everybody's Responsibility.

NWZAW includes a National Kick-off Event in Chicago on April 10, hosted by the Illinois Department of Transportation.  Locally, the kick-off event is taking place Tuesday, April 10 at Maine Turnpike Authority Headquarters, outside of the E-ZPass Customer Service Center beginning at 9:00 a.m. All are welcome to attend.  

Go Orange Day takes place on Wednesday, April 11.  Join us as we unite and wear orange (or safety yellow) to show our support for the men and women who work tirelessly to keep our roads safe.  Take a picture of yourself wearing orange and show your commitment to work zone safety by posting it to Facebook and Twitter with the hashtags #OrangeForSafety and #GoOrangeDay.

According to the Federal Highway Administration, in 2015 there were an estimated 96,626 crashes in work zones, an increase of 7.8% from 2014. 

On average, in 2015:

  • A work zone crash occurred once every 5.4 minutes.
  • Every day, 70 work zone crashes occurred that resulted in at least one injury.
  • Every week, 12 work zone crashes occurred that resulted in at least one fatality.
In Maine, we average over 500 crashes and 2 fatalities per year in work zones.
 
NWZAW was formed by the American Traffic Safety Services Association, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, and the Federal Highway Administration.  
 
The Maine Turnpike Authority is working every day to keep travel safe. Please remember that when behind the wheel, safety is in your hands. For more information on work zone awareness, visit http://www.maineturnpike.com/nwzaw.
 
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