PennDOT, state police asking drivers to slow down in construction zones

The speed limit in the interstate construction zone is 45 mph, but since no state troopers seem to be in the area, you might think it is your ticket to fly.
But that ticket could turn into an actual citation, even if no trooper is around to issue one.
The state Department of Transportation and state police are teaming up to ask drivers traveling through construction zones on highways or local roads to slow down out of consideration for the safety of workers.
Even if there are no troopers or police officers in the immediate area, workers have a form they can fill out to document a driver who might be violating traffic rules in a construction zone. The form includes the location of the incident and a description of the vehicle, including make, model and license plate number. It also asks for a description of the driver and direction of travel, and for a description of the incident and work zone. A copy of the form is then faxed to the safety press officer for that PennDOT district.
“It is just another tool to keep construction workers safe,” said Jay Ofsanik, safety press officer for PennDOT’s District 12, which includes Washington and Greene counties. “Based on the information, a citation may be issued.”
Last year was the first time the form was used, and it did lead to several successful prosecutions, Ofsanik added.
Ofsanik said slowing down not only improves safety for the workers, but for drivers. Statewide statistics on work zone crashes show that there are more fatalities involving people inside vehicles than workers. In 2016, the most recent year for which statistics are available, there were 16 people killed in vehicles involved in work zone crashes and two workers killed.
“But remember, the only thing the construction worker has on to protect them is their yellow safety vest,” Ofsanik said.
Fines for violations in construction zones are doubled, said state police Lt. Steven Driscoll, patrol section commander for Troop B-Washington, headquartered in North Bethlehem Township.
“We would rather drivers slow down than get fined,” Driscoll said. “We want to make sure they reach their destination safely and make sure the construction workers go home safely, as well.”
State police also will be using Operation Yellow Jacket in construction zones, Driscoll said. A trooper will monitor speed while in a construction vehicle and alert other troopers who are ahead so the violator can be stopped and likely cited.
If drivers know they will be going through a construction zone, Driscoll said they should allow themselves additional time to reach their destinations.
The state police lieutenant also reminded drivers of the “steer clear” law. If drivers see a police officer or emergency worker along the side of the road at an incident, drivers have to move to the left lane if they can safely get there, Driscoll said. If it is not possible to move over, drivers need to reduce their speed.
Ofsanik said the narrowness of Interstate 70 in some spots makes it difficult for troopers to safely monitor traffic for speeders, so seven “launch pads” were placed along the highway between the West Virginia state line and the New Stanton interchange. These launch pads, including two at the Kammerer exit, gives troopers a safe spot to pull over and monitor traffic.
“We worked with the state police to get a wish list and identified these seven locations,” Ofsanik said.
There are several active construction zones on I-70 in Washington County, including one between the East Beau Street and Route 519/Eighty Four interchanges, and in the area of the Bentleyville and Ginger Hill interchanges.
PennDOT also announced that a “pavement-preservation” program will be undertaken on I-70 from the West Virginia state line to near the Claysville exit. Also, a resurfacing project is planned for Route 19 between Donaldsons Crossroads and the Allegheny County line in Peters Township.