FDOT and USDOT say Florida is one of the most dangerous states in the nation for roadside construction workers.
In 2017 Florida ranked second in the nation for work zone fatal crashes, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.
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They’re encouraging drivers to stay vigilant when passing through work zones as part of "Work Zone Safety Week."
In March, Action News Jax reported on a Nassau County deputy’s dash camera video of an alleged drunk driver narrowly missing a concrete barrier on State Road 200.
FDOT spokesperson Hampton Ray says Florida’s climate may mean construction workers are on the job more frequently than in other states.
“We can pretty much do construction all year around, where some of the other states can’t,” Ray said. “because it’s too cold. Asphalt has a temperature capacity.”
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Alek Albach is an Archer Western project manager. He’s overseeing the express lane project along I-295 in Jacksonville.
“What it comes down to is, we’re locals, we’re your neighbors, we’re your friends, we’re maybe even your family,” Albach said. “We want to get home from work just like you do!”
He says drivers who aren’t paying attention can make their workplace dangerous.
“Realize you’re driving through our office,” he said. “And if you’re driving too fast or you’re driving with your phone in your hand, you’re putting our lives at risk.”
He tells Action News Jax he’s seen the dangers on a firsthand basis.
“There’s a lot of close calls, and sometimes we do get injured,” he said. “We’ve had employees get hit by (the) traveling public, we have impaired drivers entering the work zone, a lot of equipment damage.”
Cox Media Group
