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| Secretary Calvin Reed |
Kids. Siblings.
Parents. Extended family. Friends. All are important to you.
And you are just as
important to them.
At the Kansas
Department of Transportation, we understand the importance of family at home AND
at work. Across KDOT, our employees share a common mission to provide a safe,
reliable and innovative transportation system that works for all Kansans today
and in the future.
Working together to
make this happen, we develop close relationships with co-workers and associates
across the agency. I often hear mention of “our KDOT family” and know it’s true.
Family matters at KDOT because we are family.
Today marks the start
of National Work Zone Awareness Week. This
is an observance we at KDOT – in collaboration with our safety partners in law
enforcement and other organizations across the state – are always eager to
promote. The annual campaign focuses on improving safety and reducing injuries
and fatalities for highway workers and motorists in work zones.
Kansas had 1,482
crashes in work zones in 2023. That’s an average of four work zone crashes every
day of the year. The top contributing circumstance of work zone crashes is
inattention. A moment of distraction can change highway workers’ and their
families’ lives forever. Yours, too.
Other leading causes
for work zone crashes include following too closely, driving too fast for
conditions, improperly changing lanes and violating the right of way.
Starting tomorrow,
we’ll begin a four-part video series featuring KDOT highway workers and family
members sharing why work zone safety is so important. Their stories include telling
of close calls while on the job and how families worry about loved ones’ safety.
I hope hearing from members
of the KDOT family helps motorists understand how critically important it is to
slow down and pay attention while driving through work zones. Please stay safe for
the sake of your families and ours.
Secretary Reed is spot on with his message about the importance of family. We want everyone to make it home safely and when each of us ditch the distractions, it improves safety for everyone.
ReplyDeleteI have heard KDOT employees say they like working there because it feels like home. We all use the roads every day - let's pay attention and respect everyone out there by paying attention and observing the speed limit.
ReplyDeleteA great message to kickoff NWZAW, Secretary Reed! Thank you for supporting the cause and the safety of our KDOT family!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Secretary Reed! It's important to bring attention to work zone safety. Let's keep it up throughout the year.
ReplyDeleteIt is definitely a different feeling when you drive through a work zone and you know the people working there. They matter and they are important. I've also been able to be out there and feel what it's like when a semi blows by and almost knocks you off your feet, or to watch the oncoming traffic and wonder if they'll move over and to play that mental game of 'how close do I let them get before I run for the ditch'. At times I wish every driver could have to be out there and experience it, or to have a loved one working on the road, maybe attitudes would change.
ReplyDeleteGreat message. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDelete