The Chicago Tribune reported this past week about a coalition effort by local and statewide organizations to bring awareness about work zone safety.
On Friday, the groups met to kick off the awareness week and ask people to be cautious of highway workers on the road. Illinois State Transportation Secretary Gary Hannig asked motorists to be alert for construction workers, slow down and drive distraction-free without cell phones.
Though highway auto accidents and motor vehicle fatalities are down in recent years, state officials want motorists to be aware that highway workers are put in a very vulnerable situation. Provisional data show 32 people died in work zone crashes during 2010. The Illinois Department of Transportation says that’s one more death than in 2009 but they add that 2010 had the largest construction season in state history. Worker fatalities decreased from five in 2009 to three in 2010.
Remember to always slow down and to put your cell phone down when driving through a construction zone.
If you or someone you know has been injured in a Chicago construction zone accident or Chicago car accident, then call Chicago accident attorney, Aaron J. Bryant, for a free consultation at 312-588-3384 or go to the firm website at www.blgchicago.com