By MATT PIKE
St. Joseph Post
Missouri Department of Transportation officials are urging awareness with an increased number of construction projects along the roads this summer.
Northwest Missouri MoDOT Engineer Austin Hibler says the biggest thing you can do to be more aware in work zones is to buckle up, put your phone down, and pay attention.
"We have crews out mowing and striping crews where they're out on the roadway moving at a relatively slow pace in relation to the rest of the traffic," Hibler tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "So, when you see lights, you see signs, any of the advance warning, pay attention, if you have the opportunity move over give those folks some space to work, and just slow down and pay attention as you go through those areas."
Large and small work zones are all across the roadways in Missouri and mowers are also out this summer for MoDOT
Hibler says while in large work zones drivers have a guide car leading them, in smaller work zoners it's important to pay attention
"You may have a mower mowing off the shoulder, if they're not impacting the roadway there may not be a follow vehicle or any advanced warning, so just pay attention like I said," Hibler says. "If there's space to move over, if you're on a four-lane highway move on over and give those folks room, if you're on a two lane and you come up on an operation like that there will be a follow vehicle."
Hibler says over the last several years MoDOT has seen an increased number of work zone accidents and fatalities in part due to distracted driving.
"You know all the distractions that are out there and available to you as you're on the roadway," Hibler explains. "So, we have our Buckle Up, Phone Down campaign where we just urge folks to put the phone down and pay attention, and certainly as you come up on workers, and lights, and trucks out there that you pay special attention to our folks."
Constructions crews are out all across Missouri with a record number of road and bridge projects happening and mowing crews are also out this summer to be aware of.
