CDOT Honors Fallen Employees on Remembrance Day

April 2, 2015 - Statewide - The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) held its annual Remembrance Day ceremony at its headquarters today, honoring the 58 employees who have died in the line of duty since 1929.

 Joining CDOT were representatives from the Colorado State Patrol, Federal Highway Administration and Colorado Contractors Association. 

“With the highway construction season getting set to move into high gear, this is an excellent opportunity to remember our fallen workers and highlight the need for safe driving throughout the state, not just in work zones, but along all of our roadways,” said CDOT Executive Director Shailen Bhatt.  “We often forget that the men and women working in those cone zones are part of someone’s family and people should drive through construction zones as if a worker was a member of your family or a friend.  That’s why this year’s theme for Remembrance Day is ‘Home Safely Every Day.’”

The ceremony is being held in conjunction with the recent proclamation from Gov. John Hickenlooper, recognizing National Work Zone Awareness Week.

In 2013, there were 11 crashes, resulting in 14 work zone fatalities in Colorado.  In 2014, there were nine crashes, resulting in 10 fatalities.* However, a majority of construction zone accidents (85%) are drivers and/or their passengers, not roadside workers.  Nationally, more than 600 persons are killed and another 37,000 persons are injured in work zone crashes each year – an average of seven motorists and one highway worker is killed in any given five-day work week.

While highways workers are at great risk every day, it is just as critical for motorists to be safe and responsible in work zones.  In fact, four out of five work zone fatalities are motorists, not highway workers.

CDOT averages between 175 and 200 projects on state highways and interstates each year, not including maintenance projects.   When driving through a work zone, fines for most infractions are doubled. To help keep Colorado’s roads and work zones safe, drivers are advised to follow these tips:

Stay Alert and Minimize Distractions

  • Dedicate your full attention to the roadway
  • Avoid changing the radio station, using a mobile phone, texting, eating, or other distractions that can remove your concentration from the road

Pay Attention to the Road

  • "Listen to the signs"
  • Watch brake lights on vehicles ahead
  • Watch traffic around you and be prepared to react

Merge into the Proper Lane

  • Merge well before you reach the lane closure
  • Be aware that traffic patterns can change daily

Don't tailgate

  • Follow other vehicles at a safe distance

Obey the Posted Speed Limit

  • Workers may be present just feet away
  • Fines may be doubled for moving traffic violations
  • Be prepared to slow down further if conditions indicate the need

Change Lanes Safely

  • Change lanes only where pavement markings indicate, and only when traffic conditions permit

Follow Instructions from Flaggers

Expect the Unexpected

  • Workers, work vehicles, or equipment may enter your lane without warning
  • Other vehicles may slow, stop, or change lanes unexpectedly