ODOT & OTA stress Work Zone Awareness Month in April
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – April is Work Zone Awareness Month. It's a time for drivers to recognize the role they play in work zones. Distracted driving in these areas can have impacts on construction delay or deadly consequences.
'Avoid the avoidable,' said Jeff Garder, the Director of Construction for the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority.
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In front of the State Department of Transportation, a memorial stands tall bearing the names of employees who lost their lives after being hit by cars while doing their job on Oklahoma roadways.
You may remember recent names like Terry Clubb, Ira Henderson, Tim Vandiver, Gordan Pipkin, Jerrell Gray, and Rickie Nichols Jr.
The most recent name added to the memorial is from December, when ODOT employee Jaden Jackson was killed while on the job in LeFlore County.
Johnathan Brooks, an engineer with ODOT, said other road workers are alive but carry the scars.
'Personally, I know contractors that have been hit and have been in the hospitals for months and months,' said Brooks.
It's something that can be avoided, and that's the focus in April, Work Zone Awareness Month.
Garder said as temperatures rise, so does the number of active work zones.
'Its favorable conditions to get work done,' said Garder.
Right now, there are more than 100 road projects across the state.
After a crash, tie-ups and cleanup can take hours.
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'You're between barrier wall, and you're in a tighter configuration, where it's harder for first responders to get to the scene,' said Garder.
Secondary accidents are also a risk.
'People have to slow down right? And brake their brakes really suddenly,' said Brooks.
So remember, put away your distractions, drive the speed limit, and watch out for those making your commute better in the long run.
Remember, buckling up may seem like a 'no-brainer,' but ODOT said Oklahoma is among the ten states where drivers and passengers are least likely to use seat belts.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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