 |
| Rick Carson, seated in center, is surrounded by his family. |
KDOT employee Rick Carson shared his story in 2020 about the need for safety in work zones. He was
promoted to Highway Maintenance Supervisor in January, and he has worked at KDOT for 10
years.
________________
My name is Rick Carson, and I am the Equipment Operator
Specialist for the Syracuse Subarea office. I am coming up on my fifth year as
a KDOT employee, having served as Specialist since July 2017.
During my short tenure as a KDOT employee, I have seen quite
a few different circumstances that could have turned out very bad. I learned
from early on that the best thing you can do to keep yourself safe is to keep
your head on a constant swivel.
One of the most unforgettable experiences happened to me in
the summer of 2019. We were patching holes on K-27 in the south part of
Syracuse. The stretch of road
way is a four-lane undivided highway. The crew was
working on the inside lane of the northbound lane. We had set up our work zone
prior to beginning work with all the proper signs, cones, attenuator and a
wedge diverting traffic into the right-hand lane.
At some point that morning, I was standing along the center
line, but still in the lane we were working in. There was some debris that had
rolled over the center line, and I was going to step over the center line to
sweep it back over into the hole. I was facing the north and looked to make
sure no traffic was coming.
I never looked south because there shouldn’t have been any
traffic coming from that way, because we had our wedge set up pushing them
right. WRONG! A truck coming from the south had crossed over the double yellow
line. It was traveling north in the southbound lane and what was probably over
the speed limit.
Luckily, one of my co-workers was looking that way and was
able to get my attention, and I was able to step out of the way.
Thinking about it later that day, the one word that came to
my mind was COMPLACENT. That day, at that particular time, I had become
complacent and overly comfortable with my surroundings.
To my fellow KDOT workers, I would just like to remind you
all that no matter what you are doing, always take the extra time to look
around and make sure that you are doing it carefully. And always watch out for
your co-workers.
To the traveling public, KDOT does what they do, to try and
keep your family safe on the highways. So, in your travels, if/when you come up
on any workers, anywhere, PLEASE, slow down, move over and obey the signs.
Drive like it’s your family out there along the side of the road. Because we
ARE somebody’s family.
Thanks for sharing your story, Rick. Complacency can really sneak up on you!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your story with us. It can be so easy to just go about life as "Business as usual" and zone out and forget to take important steps to stay safe. I'm grateful your co-worker called out and you are still here with us! Thank you so much for the work you do!
ReplyDeleteEvery year, Work Zone Awareness Week reminds us of the critical need for safety in areas where road work is underway. As a Safety Specialist for the Kansas Department of Transportation, I see firsthand the risks that work zones pose—not just to construction and maintenance crews but to drivers and passengers as well. It’s a shared responsibility to ensure that every person traveling through or working within a work zone makes it home safely at the end of the day.
ReplyDeleteThe Reality of Work Zone Dangers:
Work zones can be unpredictable. Changing traffic patterns, narrowed lanes, and reduced speed limits require heightened attention from drivers. Unfortunately, many crashes within work zones result from distracted driving, speeding, or failing to follow signs and signals. According to the National Work Zone Safety Information Clearinghouse, thousands of work zone crashes occur each year, many leading to injuries or fatalities.
This reality makes Work Zone Awareness Week more than just a campaign, it’s a call to action. It reminds all of us that a moment of carelessness can change lives forever.
The Hidden Danger of Complacency:
One of the most overlooked threats to work zone safety is complacency. When we drive through familiar work zones day after day, we tend to relax, assuming nothing will change. That false sense of security can lead to lapses in attention, delayed reactions, and tragic mistakes.
Complacency makes drivers less responsive to shifting conditions. They may ignore reduced speed limits, fail to anticipate sudden lane changes, or neglect to scan for workers near the roadway. In work zones, where conditions are constantly changing, staying alert is crucial.
Even experienced drivers are susceptible to this risk. That’s why it’s important to treat every work zone like a new challenge—adjust your mindset, eliminate distractions, and remain fully engaged with your surroundings.
How Drivers Can Make a Difference:
Drivers play a vital role in work zone safety. Here are a few key ways to reduce risks:
• Slow Down: Reduced speed limits exist for a reason—protecting workers and other drivers.
• Stay Alert: Put distractions away, especially phones, and focus entirely on the road.
• Follow Signs & Signals: Lane shifts, flaggers, and posted warnings guide you safely through work zones.
• Give Workers Space: Construction crews are working just feet away from moving traffic. A little patience and caution can save lives.
• Avoid Complacency: Never assume a work zone will be the same as the last time you drove through—stay vigilant.
The Human Side of Work Zones:
Behind every work zone is a team of individuals dedicated to making our roads safer and more efficient. These are fathers, mothers, sons, and daughters, working hard to improve our infrastructure. They deserve our vigilance and respect.
Work Zone Awareness Week serves as a powerful reminder that we all play a role in safety—whether behind the wheel or on the job site. Let’s commit to safer driving habits, respect the signs and signals, and make sure Kansas roads remain a secure place for everyone.
Drive safe. Work safe. Arrive safe.
Hi Rick! Thank you so much for sharing your experience and thank you so much for all the work you do to keep Hamilton County going! We appreciate all your efforts and are very grateful. It's heartbreaking to hear about all these close call scenarios, but definitely needed to help bring awareness to work zone safety. Thank you again for all you do!
ReplyDeleteYazmin