Work zone dangers

A news conference was held in Jefferson City today about work zone safety.

Today is the first day of work zone awareness week and one man who works for MODOT told his story of an accident he was involved in while working alongside the highway.

Scott Campbell said there wasn’t much he could do to avoid it, but could only wait for the accident to happen.

“I just sat back and I know it was coming. Just essentially waited for it to hit or get by one of the two and it hit me,” said Campbell.

Scott Campbell is a senior maintenance worker for MODOT in Jefferson City. He said he couldn’t see what was happening because the sun was in his mirrors, but heard tires screeching toward him.

“I just want drivers to be very aware of not just what we’re doing, but what other motorists are reacting to, as well.”

The theme of this year’s work zone safety awareness is Pay Attention or Pay the Price.

Ed Hassinger is the chief engineer for MODOT and said the average text takes about 5 seconds to read.

“If you are sitting in your car and you look down at your phone at 55 miles an hour in that five seconds you traveled a football field without ever looking at what’s going on,” said Hassinger.

Highway Patrol also had something to say about drivers not obeying the rules of work zones.

“Again, we will be doing our part. If you do not do your part you will likely see someone in uniform very similar to mine,” said John Hotz with Highway Patrol.

Each year an average of 600 workers are killed in work zones.