NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Transportation is joining states across the nation to ask motoriststo Work with Us – move over and slow down for highway workers. TDOT will spread that message statewide during National Work Zone Awareness Week (April 20-24) in an effort to improve safety in Tennessee’s interstate and highway construction and maintenance work zones.
“Through these trying times, TDOT’s services are essential in ensuring safe travel for people, goods and services in Tennessee,” TDOT Commissioner Clay Bright said. “Although traffic flow has lessened, hundreds of TDOT employees are still workingon our highways each day. We need motorists to work with us by moving over and slowing down for TDOT workers and first responders working along our interstates and state routes.We ask that motorists pay attention to signs, observe the handsfree law, reduce speed, and move over when possible.”
The spring and summer months provide perfect weather for highway work. Work zones include everything from major interstate widening projects to pothole patching and mowing. Motorists will encounter work zones across Tennessee in downtowns, along interstates and in rural areas. Last year in Tennessee, 25 people died in work zone crashes, including workers, drivers and passengers.
To help bring awareness to the importance of safety in work zones, TDOT launched the Work with Us – Move Over, Slow Down safety campaign.
Work zone safety messages will be displayed on TDOT’s overhead Dynamic Message Signs on interstates in Memphis, Nashville, Chattanooga and Knoxville. Prominent buildings and bridges will be lighted in orange, and“Work with Us – Move Over, Slow Down” signs will be posted at work zones across the state displaying this message at various locations statewide.
