CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NEWS RELEASE 2800 BERLIN TURNPIKE P.O. BOX 317546 NEWINGTON CONNECTICUT, 06131-7546

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Department of Transportation Continues To Urge Residents to Obey The Orange to Increase Safety of Workers on Roads

      According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics there are over 100 fatal occupational injuries at road construction sites every year. With motor vehicle accidents responsible for nearly half of these fatalities, highway agencies across the nation have focused on improving road safety for the highway worker.  

      This year, the Connecticut General Assembly passed a law, House Bill 5250 signed as Public Act 13-92, an Act Concerning the Safety of Workers in Roadway Work Zones, that includes new laws effective October 1, 2103.   The new laws include:

·         Requirement of driving schools to include a discussion concerning work zone safety and the responsibilities of a motor vehicle operator;

·         Driver’s license (knowledge) test includes a question covering work zone safety and the responsibilities of a motor vehicle operator;

·         Motor vehicle operators to attend a retraining program if convicted of traveling in a work zone faster than 75 miles per hour.  Commercial vehicle operators are subject of retraining if they are convicted of traveling more than 65 miles per hour;

·         If convicted of a violation of the statute covering highway work zone, and endangerment of a highway worker, Section 14-212d of the General Statutes, up to two points will be assessed against the operator.

      Public Act 13-92 also creates a work zone safety account that will be used to support highway enforcement activities and training.

      Another important act, one that is especially important to  the Department, is Public Act 13-277, which includes revisions to the Transportation Statutes and declares a portion of Route 3 in Wethersfield the “Daniel R. DiNardi Memorial Highway,”   in honor of the DOT Maintenance Supervisor who was killed on March 22, 2012. 

       " While cars are whizzing by at 60 miles per hour, these workers are trying to improve our transportation system so we all have safe and secure roads and bridges,” said Terri Thompson, Transportation Supervising Engineer, and work Zone Safety Awareness Campaign Chairperson for the Connecticut Department of Transportation.  “These bills reinforce Connecticut’s resolve to minimize the number of tragedies that are caused by improper and distracted driving and speeding in work zones and highlights the importance of accident prevention. “

      In Connecticut, worker and driver safety are a priority and continues to maintain its focus on , educating the public about the importance of “Obeying the Orange.”

      To get up-to-date information as well as safety tips and news, visit the Department of Transportation Website at www.ct.gov/dot and click on ObeytheOrange logo or go to www.facebook.com/ObeyTheOrange