The Crittenden Automotive Library

“Drive Like You Work Here”

“Drive Like You Work Here”

New Mexico Department of Transportation
4 April 2019

National Work Zone Awareness Week
April 8-12, 2019

PDF supplement

For Immediate Release

MEDIA CONTACT:
Marisa Maez
(505) 469-8243 or Marisa.Maez@state.nm.us

New Mexico- Work zone fatalities have gone up.. As spring construction season begins, the New Mexico Department of Transportation reminds drivers, slow down, pay attention and pack your patience. We’re all trying to get somewhere and the smoother the ride, the better. NMDOT’s mission is to provide safe and efficient transportation systems for all travelers. To accomplish that, construction is necessary. Sadly each year, crashes, injuries and fatalities occur because drivers don’t use proper construction zone etiquette.

Motorists may not realize, they are more at risk of injury or death than the construction workers due to speed and distractions. About 85 percent of those killed in work zones are drivers and their passengers. In 2017, there were 789 work zone crashes in New Mexico; 220 caused injuries and four were fatal.

*Attached are graphs breaking down the latest state and national stats.

Tips for Driving Safely in Work Zones

SLOW DOWN! (Speeding is one of the major causes of work zone crashes.)
DON'T TAILGATE! KEEP A SAFE DISTANCE BETWEEN YOU, THE CAR AHEAD OF YOU, THE CONSTRUCTION WORKERS AND THEIR EQUIPMENT.
PAY ATTENTION TO THE SIGNS!
STAY ALERT AND MINIMIZE DISTRACTIONS! NO PHONES, MAKEUP OR FOOD!
BE PATIENT AND STAY CALM.

Check the New Mexico Department of Transportation web site for information on work zone delays throughout the state at: http://www.nmroads.com/, or call 1-800-432-4269.)

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