Buckeye Reporter

On April 23, 2025, the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), Richland County, and local officials marked National Work Zone Awareness Week. This initiative aims to promote safe driving through highway work zones and highlight Ohio's Move Over Law.

The event was held in memory of Trenton Gallaway, a Richland County Engineers Office employee who died in a work zone crash on October 2, 2024. "State, county, municipal, and contract workers are out every day trying to provide a safe, reliable, and efficient highway system for motorists. We all need to do our part to make sure those workers get home safely every day," said Richland County Engineer Adam Gove.

Attendees included State Representative Gary Click, the Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP), Ohio Laborers Employers Cooperation and Education Trust (LECET), Ohio Contractors Association (OCA), and American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA). They emphasized the importance of safe driving decisions during construction season.

Ohio's Move Over law mandates drivers to move over and slow down for stationary vehicles with flashing lights on roadways. This law is enforced by state highway patrol officers, local police, and county sheriff's deputies. "Safety should be every motorist’s top priority while driving," said ODOT District Three Deputy Director Bob Weaver.

According to OSHP data from last year, there were 4,000 work zone crashes in Ohio. Of these incidents, 35% occurred with workers present. There were 21 deadly crashes resulting in 22 fatalities and another 123 serious injuries from 97 crashes. Speeding remains a significant factor in these accidents.

Last summer's Operation Cone Zone by ODOT and OSHP aimed at reducing work zone crashes showed positive results compared to the previous year. Plans are underway for this initiative to continue in 2025 with increased enforcement in high-priority interstate work zones.

Information from this article can be found here.