Minnesota Highway Work Zone Crashes Spotlight The Need For Caution Near Orange Cones

Two recent work zone-related crashes have the Minnesota Department of Transportation asking for the public's help in keeping everyone safe. Both crashes happened in September, in which three people were killed in the span of five hours and more were seriously injured.

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety reported that there were 26.502 crashes in work zones within the past five years, resulting in 41 deaths and 4,017 injuries.

Many of these could have been prevented.

Motorists are reminded to obey the posted speed limits inside work zones as fines for speeding may double. Motorists must further understand the dynamic nature of work zones and that they can constantly change. Lane shifts and lane closures can take place with regularity, and workers and construction equipment are always present and moving about.

“We’re asking motorists step up and take action to help reduce these tragedies,” said Lt. Eric Roeske of the State Patrol. “Crashes are the result of unsafe driver behavior or decisions which can be prevented.”

Motorists are reminded never enter a road blocked with barriers or cones; not to make unnecessary lane changes; stay off cell phones and mobile devices; to be patient and expect delays.

To-date in 2013, the DPS reports that there have been 258 traffic deaths to-date, up from 248 this same time last year.