Letter to the Editor: NSC chapter president asks drivers to take work zone safety pledge

On March 22, 2023, a terrible work zone crash happened on Interstate 695, the Baltimore Beltway. 

Two vehicles driving through a work zone at high speeds (more than 100 mph) crashed. One vehicle was pushed through the work zone, killing six workers. Two pairs of the workers were related (a father and son and two brothers), one was a mother of two, and the other was a Maryland resident. Folks trying to earn a living lost their lives.

Speed, distractions and impairment are all too common in highway crashes – let alone when folks are driving through a work zone, where even more judicious driving discretion is necessary. Imagine working for an accounting firm and two vehicles crashing through your office at 120 mph, killing several of your co-workers. It’s inconceivable, but not so for our road work crews. 

Highway administration, construction contractors and the driving public need to collaborate and mitigate unnecessary work zone crashes. Maryland state government and contractors are working diligently through engineering, education and enforcement e orts to increase the protection of work zone crews and the driving public.

As enhanced protective measures are developed and implemented, it’s imperative that the driving public takes action to reduce the likelihood of a work zone crash.

The Chesapeake Region Safety Council, a local chapter of the National Safety Council, has initiated the Work Zone Safety Pledge campaign. We’re asking folks to take a simple pledge to slow down, move over and pay attention when driving through work zones. It’s simple: Go to chesapeakesc.org and take the pledge.

Commit to more courteous, conscientious driving behavior when traveling through work zones. Everyone can do this! Focusing on individual driving behaviors will reduce work zone crashes. Please become part of the Work Zone Safety Pledge success!

David G. Madaras, CSP, CHST
President
Chesapeake Region Safety Council