WEDNESDAY, JULY 14, 2004
DRIVING
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
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13
Road work part of Lawrence landscape
By Amanda O'Toole
aotoole@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
Orange cones and construction machinery have been added to the scenery between Kasold and Iowa on 15th Street. And while traffic may not be that bad with the majority of University of Kansas students away, close to 14,000 cars will travel down the street daily when school is in session, according to the Lawrence Traffic Department.
Ed Ogle, Lawrence engineering supervisor, said he hoped the project would be complete before the fall semester began August 19.
Though safety is always a concern, heavier traffic creates a more dangerous environment for both workers and motorists. Staying out of an accident, Ogle said, is just a matter of using some common sense.
"It would be nice if we could just close all the streets down when we're working," he said. "When going through a work zone people need to use common sense, be cautious and be courteous to workers and motorists."
Randy Roberts, Lawrence Police sergeant, said he hadn't noticed any accidents at work zones.
But that has not been the case outside of the city.
Within two months, nine people were in fatal car accidents in a construction zone on Highway 50 near Peabody.2003 saw only 12 fatalities on KDOT roads for the entire year.
Last year there were more than 1,500 accidents in work zones across the state.
Kim Stich, KDOT information specialists, said most accidents occurred because of inattentive drivers. Stich said people should limit distractions while driving, such as talking on cell phones, eating and changing radio stations.
She said that there were not necessarily more accidents but more severe accidents in the zones.
"There is more traffic, sometimes only one lane and if a worker is involved it is always more severe," she said. "But 80 percent of accidents that happen in work zones involve motorists."
She said KDOT would complete approximately 500 projects on about 10,000 miles of highway by the end of November.
If safety isn't an incentive enough to slow down and for drivers to be more cautious, drivers should at least slow down in work zones to avoid increased fines.
Stich said people needed to be patient. She said if a person drove 55 mph instead
DRIVING SAFETY TIPS
Last year, more than 15,000 people were involved in construction zone accidents in Kansas. Of those, 515 motorists sustained injuries and 12 were killed.
The Kansas Department of Transportation suggests the following to stay safe while passing through construction zones:
Stay alert
Pay close attention to signs
- Turn on headlights — it's easier for other motorists and workers to see you
Don't change lanes
Don't tailgate or speed
Source: Kansas Department of Transportation
"Anytime someone tampers with traffic control it puts the traffic public in dangerous situations. If a cone is missing a motorist could go into a closed lane or drive into oncoming traffic."
Ed Ogle Lawrence engineering supervisor
of 65 mph for 25 miles, they would arrive at their destination only four minutes later.
According to KDOT's Web site, www.ksdot.org, the lowest fine in a construction zone in Kansas is $119.
"Anytime someone tampers with traffic control it puts the traffic public in dangerous situations," he said. "If a cone is missing a motorist could go into a closed lane or drive into oncoming traffic."
Ogle said theft of cones and meddling with construction sites increased the chance of an accident.
Ogle said weather had set back a couple of projects like the 19th Street roundabout. He said he hoped to open 19th Street east of Iowa Street by the end of July.
Overall, Ogle said he was pleased with the rates the projects were being completed.
"It's just a matter of getting it finished before traffic gets heavy." he said. It's more convenient for the contractors and for the traffic public. It's always safer for workers when traffic is light."
- Edited by Joe Burke
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