In just the first half of 2024, several work zone crashes in Southwest Washington have resulted in hospitalizations for workers, drivers and their passengers. This comes after fatalities from work zone crashes doubled in 2023. Clark County Public Works is launching the 2024 safe driving in work zones campaign to remind drivers that driving safely through work zones protects workers, drivers and their passengers. 

When driving through work zones, drivers should: 

• Slow down: not only is speeding one of the top three causes of work zone crashes in Washington, it’s also one of the top three factors in all fatal crashes. 
• Pay attention: Distracted driving is one of the top three causes of work zone crashes in the state, even though over 92% of drivers report that they don’t drive distracted. 
• Be patient: No appointment or meeting is worth risking a life. Drivers should check their route for construction delays or detours before traveling to important appointments. When encountering work zones and delays, drivers should be patient and kind to workers – they’re working to improve the roads for everyone. 

“One of the points we’re trying to highlight is that every person who’s working in Public Works has a family that cares about them and loves them. And it’s our responsibility to do what we can to make sure their job they’re performing on behalf of the public is done safely, and they can count on going home and seeing their families,” said Josh Lipscomb, Public Works’ Road Maintenance and Operations division manager. 

Over 95% of those seriously injured or killed in work zone collisions statewide were drivers, their passengers, or nearby pedestrians. The campaign’s theme, “Tomorrow is your reward for driving safely today,” reminds drivers that choices made behind the wheel can have life-altering, or life-ending consequences, and can happen to anyone. Traffic fatalities in Clark County are on the rise, reaching at least a ten-year high in 2023. In that time, traffic fatalities more than doubled while during the same period the county’s population has only increased by 16 percent. Our roads aren’t just getting more crowded, they’re getting more dangerous due to the choices some drivers make. In Clark County, the top three contributing factors in all fatal crashes were impaired drivers, speeding and distracted driving. 

Clark County Public Works launched the first annual safe driving in work zones campaign in 2023 after several county workers and contractors were struck in a work zone and required hospitalization. This occurred after staff had expressed that they were experiencing an increase in near-misses and reckless driving in work zones. 

“Pay attention to us being out there. Don’t speed by us. We’re on the yellow line, just feet from your car,” said Aaron Hendrickson, a crew chief with Public Works’ Road Maintenance and Operations division. 

In addition to community education and outreach about the importance of safe driving in work zones, the 2024 campaign is being supported by enforcement partners at the Clark County Sheriff’s Office and Target Zero. 

More information about the campaign can be found at clark.wa.gov/public-works/drive-safely-work-zones. Information about construction delays and detours is posted at clark.wa.gov/public-works/construction-traffic-delays, updated at least once each week with information about road work in unincorporated Clark County. The page also includes links to road work information for state roads (highways, interstates, state routes) and city streets.

For information about road and park projects, closures, opportunities for community input, and more, residents can follow Public Works on X (formerly known as Twitter), Facebook and Instagram and view information on Nextdoor.

CONTACT
Kaley McLachlan-Burton, communications manager
360.946.7584
kaley.mclachlan-burton@clark.wa.gov