Construction season is ramping up and the Illinois Department of Transportation, ISP, Illinois Tollway, industry partners, and construction workers, want you to be aware that it is National Work Zone Awareness Week.  The public is urged to slow down, put down their devices, and keep their eyes on the road.  The theme for this year's awareness week is “Work Zones are A Sign To Slow Down.” IDOT Spokesperson Paul Wappel asks everyone to pay attention to weather and speed.

Wappel says slow down.

Public should be ready for lane closures, changes in traffic patterns, reduced speed limits, and the presence of workers and equipment.  More than 6,700 motor vehicle crashes on average occur in Illinois work zones and with more than 1600 injuries.  In 2021, 25 people died in work zones in Illinois, none of which were workers, the first time that’s happened since 2015.