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The California Department of Transportation is sounding the alarm about traffic safety near highway work zones after recent contract worker fatalities.
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“In the last two months, we’ve lost six contractors on our roadways,” said Caltrans Director Dina El-Tawansy at a Thursday news conference in downtown Sacramento. “That’s completely unacceptable.”
These fatalities are sparking calls for drivers to pay more attention and stray away from driving while under the influence.
California Highway Patrol Assistant Commissioner John Pinoli highlighted distracting driving in his remarks, saying “it only takes one or two seconds for a tragedy to occur.” He also said California has a “move over” law that drivers should adhere to.
The “move over” law instructs drivers move over a lane when safe or slow down when passing vehicles with flashing lights, according to Caltrans’ website. That includes stationary vehicles used for construction, tow trucks and emergency services. These vehicles generally have flashing lights.
“We cannot bring back lives already lost, but we can honor them by preventing the next tragedy,” Caltrans Chief Engineer Donna Berry said.
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Caltrans plans to partner with other transportation stakeholders, including companies who employ contractors, to further examine fatal incidents on highway worksites. This is coupled with “stand-down” meetings to discuss specific incidents as they occur and daily safety discussions among workers.
“We are looking at incidents (to see) exactly what happened as they’re happening, looking at concentrations of areas across the state and where that’s happening,” Berry said.
Since 1921, at least 195 Caltrans employees have died while working, according to the agency’s website. Fallen workers are recognized each April with a memorial tribute.
“They are people: parents, children, coworkers and friends,” Berry said. “(There are) families who never got the chance to say goodbye.”
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