State Safety Office

A work zone involves workers, vehicles, trucks, and equipment that can necessitate lane closures, detours, and moving equipment, and can last from a few days to several years. While work zone fatalities make up approximately three percent of overall fatalities and two percent of serious injuries, the safe and efficient flow of traffic through work zones is an ongoing priority for Florida’s transportation and traffic safety partners.

In 2016 Florida had the 2nd highest number of fatal traffic crashes in work zones in the nation. Data shows that workers were present in the work zone in 35% of the fatal crashes and 44% of crashes resulting in serious injuries.

To combat crashes in work zone areas, our efforts focus on :

• Enforcement: Enforcing traffic laws within the Work Zone Area
• Communication Program: Public awareness and education regarding Work Zone safety

For Grant Funding (Concept papers are due the year prior to project implementation so data must show that road work project is ongoing during the grant cycle before funds will be awarded)

• Programs receiving grant funding in this priority area are focused on three major program related categories:
• Problem Identification: Data collection and analysis to identify and develop countermeasures and awareness initiatives that lead to appropriate modifications in driver behavior.
• Communication program: to ensure motorist compliance with the introduction of revised speed limits and strict enforcement operations.
• Enforcement Countermeasures: Enforcement to strategically address speeders, locations, and conditions most common or most hazardous in speeding-related crashes.

Items eligible for funding under this category may include overtime enforcement and public awareness materials.

All program areas funded with grant funds are required to have an evaluation method that will allow assessment of the funded program's level of success in reducing fatalities and injuries. For more information, see our Grants page.

Enforcement

The most common violations in work zone areas are speeding and distracted driving. These violations are taken very seriously and the goal is to save lives. Law Enforcement agencies are expected to enforce traffic laws in the work zone areas to reduce crashes. 


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