205 people eliminated in work zones in Texas last year, only one was a construction worker

AUSTIN (KXAN) - - More than 200 individuals died in Texas last year in building zones. That's in fact a 16% decline, but still far too many. The Texas Department of Transportation is hoping you will "Be Safe and Drive Smart to assist End The Streak" of fatal crashes on roads in Texas.

" I'm one of countless roadway employees in Texas striving to build and keep our roads," stated Bo Wilson, who was speaking along with representatives from TxDOT, Austin Police, the Texas Department of Public Safety and Austin-Travis County EMS for National Work Zone Awareness Week. Wilson has actually been with TxDOT for more than 20 years and had an unsafe close call in 2015. His team had actually just taken a break for lunch, when a sidetracked motorist crashed full speed into the building zone he was working on Highway 71 in Bastrop County.

" Once DPS arrived, he informed them that he had actually simply completed the phone conversation said his phone on his console, and it moved down into the floorboard and he reached over to retrieve it. Never ever seen anymore indications never ever understanding he ran over a rumble strips to alert drivers and struck the cushion at 70 miles an hour," Wilson said.

Of the 205 barrels behind the speakers at Monday's event, only one represented the death of a building and construction employee. The rest were chauffeurs, their bicyclists, passengers and pedestrians. This campaign is about the safety of building employees and also for your security as the chauffeur.

In work zones around Austin, seven individuals were killed last year and 12 were seriously hurt.
It's state law to move over and decrease to safeguard very first responders and roadside workers.
It needs you to minimize your speed by 20 miles an hour listed below the published speed limit when you see an emergency vehicle, tow truck, utility vehicle or TXDOT lorry with their lights on the side of the roadway. If you do not, not only are you putting lives at threat, however you deal with a steep fine approximately $2,000.

Unfortunately, road workers experience sidetracked motorists on a daily basis.

Wilson stated, "Every day, it's mind blowing how many people pass you. And you can sit there and count the cars, how many of them are sidetracked? It's probably nine out of 10 that are placing on makeup or leaning over the rear seat monitoring on children or on their cell phones. It's wild."

All they're asking is you remain alert, put your phone down and lower your speed. It can not only conserve their life, but yours as well.