Slow down, Kentucky! As National Work Zone Awareness Week kicks off, Columbia Gas is reminding drivers to follow good safety practices every time they encounter company work crews in neighborhoods across the state.
This year’s theme for National Work Zone Awareness Week, which runs from Monday, April 21, through Friday, April 25, is "Respect the zone so we all get home.” Kentucky’s work zone safety laws were expanded last year to include utility workers and work on any roadway, not just highways.
“Our employees work hard to provide safe and reliable service to our customers, and unfortunately roadway work zones are one of the most dangerous places our employees can work due to driver negligence,” said Columbia Gas President and Chief Operating Officer Kimra Cole. “We all deserve to make it home to our families at the end of each workday, and we are calling on Kentucky drivers to help keep our utility and transportation workers safe.”
Columbia Gas and contractor crews work in and around neighborhoods every day for pipeline upgrades and repairs. These projects can be messy and disruptive and can take hours or months to complete. While most projects are planned and listed on the company’s website at ColumbiaGasKy.com/Projects, some work is completed on an emergency basis. Columbia Gas work zones are always clearly marked or managed by flaggers.
If you encounter work crews while driving, following these simple tips might just save a life:
- Expect the unexpected – Normal speed limits may be reduced, traffic lanes may change and people may be working on or near the road. Workers may not always be visible if they are working on excavation sites.
- Slow down – Speeding is one of the major causes of work zone crashes.
- Keep your distance – Keep a safe distance between you and the car ahead of you and don’t tailgate.
- Pay attention to the signs – Observe the posted signs until you see the one that says you’ve left the work zone.
- Obey road crew flaggers – A flagger has the same authority as a regulatory sign, so you can be cited for disobeying directions.
- Stay alert and minimize distractions – Dedicate your full attention to the roadway and avoid changing radio stations or using cell phones while driving.
For more information about Columbia Gas’ focus on safety, please visit ColumbiaGasKy.com/safety.
