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Also this year, Dunkin' Donuts will be honoring and thanking road
construction workers across Illinois during
Work
Zone Awareness Week by offering free coffee Friday to construction
and maintenance workers outfitted in lime green safety vests.
"April is the month when highway construction gets under way, and we
want the public to know that it is critical that they slow down and
be on the lookout for workers and equipment in these work zones,"
said Sees, of the Department of Transportation. "Our goal is to
protect the lives of both the many dedicated workers who are
improving our roadways, as well as drivers and passengers traveling
through work zones. Thanks to strict enforcement by the state
police, we have been making steady progress in reducing work zone
fatalities in Illinois."
Since Gov. Rod Blagojevich signed legislation in 2004 that
toughened work zone speeding fines to $375 for a first offense, the
number of work zone fatalities went from a total of 44 fatalities,
including five workers, in 2003, to a total of 28 fatalities last
year, including one worker.
"We know that driving too fast for conditions is one of the
biggest contributors to crashes in general and work zone crashes in
particular," said Trent, of the state police. "Photo enforcement has
given us an additional tool for enforcing work zone speed limits,
and drivers across the state should expect aggressive enforcement --
whether it is by photo enforcement, regular patrol cars or our
motorcycle unit."
Trent also noted that Illinois State Police will also be strictly
enforcing Scott's Law violations, which make it an offense if a
driver fails to slow down and, if possible, change lanes when police
squad cars or other emergency vehicles with flashing lights are on
the shoulder.
In recognition of the hazards faced daily by road construction
workers, Dunkin' Donuts stores throughout the state of Illinois will
give away free coffee to all construction workers and other
personnel wearing lime green safety vests on Friday. The recognition
is part of the company's "Thanking Those Who Serve" program.
"The men and women who work to rebuild our roads do a great job
of making the roads safe and suitable for all of us," said Kathy
Nowicki, field marketing manager for Dunkin' Donuts. "These people
work long hours, often in less-than-desirable weather and
conditions. They deserve our support and extra attention when we're
out on the roads. Inviting them into our stores for free coffee on
Friday is our way of honoring and thanking road construction
personnel and calling attention to the important job they do."
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 In Illinois, the number of crashes in highway work zones averages
6,700 every year, resulting in approximately 2,800 injuries. The
governor convened a Work Zone Safety Task Force in the fall of 2003,
which made a number of recommendations to improve highway work zone
safety, including better defined and more consistent-looking work
zones, stiffer penalties, and photo enforcement of speed limits
within work zones.
Photo enforcement vans operated by state troopers were deployed
for the first time last year. Three vans were active at various
locations throughout the state, and troopers issued over 4,000
citations. A fourth van will be added to further expand the program
later this year.
The marked white photo enforcement vans are equipped with the
latest in photo radar technology designed to record the speed of
vehicles and to capture clear images of the driver and the license
plate. Tickets are sent by certified mail to drivers within 14
business days. Under the toughened work zone speeding fines that
took effect last year, first-time offenders face a $375 fine;
second-time offenders face a $1,000 fine and the loss of their
driver's license for 90 days.
The vans are staffed by specially trained state troopers. They
are used in work zones where workers are present. Signs will be
placed in project locations where photo enforcement will be
occurring.
These vans are an additional state-of-the-art enforcement tool
that helps reduce fatalities in work zones. Motorists, as well as
workers, are at risk when driving in work zones, due to
configurations that include narrower lanes, lane jogs and dips,
closed shoulders, and lane closures. Driving at slower speeds allows
motorists more time to react to changed conditions.
Department of Transportation personnel and state troopers will
step up their work zone safety outreach efforts Friday by passing
out leaflets to travelers at interstate rest areas across the state.
[Text from Illinois
Department of Transportation news release received from
the
Illinois Office of
Communication and Information]
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