The world may be your oyster, but for work crews and first responders, Connecticut roadways are their “offices,” said a AAA Northeast Fleet Operations director.
Speaking at a state Department of Transportation (DOT) morning news conference today highlighting National Work Zone Awareness Week (April 11 -15), AAA Northeast’s Director of Fleet Operations Michael Ellesio urged the public to treat roadside work zones as if they were regular ‘office’ spaces.
“The roadside is our office,” he asserted. “And when you drive through a work zone or pass a DOT truck, emergency vehicle or tow truck on the side of the road . . . drive through that work zone like YOU work there. Give these workers the space they need to do their jobs.”
Whether it’s highways or back roads, Ellesio urged drives to Slow Down, Move Over when they see tow truck drivers, emergency responders, and other roadside workers assisting disabled motorists on roadways.
National statistics report there were 774 fatal crashes in work zones in 2020 that resulted in 857 deaths, of which 117 were work zone workers. In Connecticut alone, there have been 3 fatalities out of the 748-work zone-related crashes last year, according to the State DOT.
DOT Commissioner Joseph Giulietti, Federal Highway Safety Administration’s CT Division Administrator Amy Jackson-Grove officials, State Police and Department of Public Works employees at today’s news conference echoed a similar message: use extra caution when driving through work zones.
“We’re out here to help you and keep you safe,” Ellesio said. “Don’t risk our lives. Slow down, safely move over, be alert, and give roadside workers the space to do their jobs! We all share the same roadside ‘office.’”