June 16, 2008
Media Event and Photo Opportunity
CDOT Kicks Off Slow for the Cone Zone Campaign
WHAT: The annual Slow for the Cone Zone campaign kicks off to target unsafe driving practices in work zones across the state for the duration of the summer. The campaign will include overtime enforcement in construction and maintenance cone zones by the Colorado State Patrol, which made include photo radar.
WHO: Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) Chief Engineer Pam Hutton, Colorado State Patrol Lieutenant Colonel Richard Salas, CDOT Maintenance Superintendent Rob Haines and other CDOT maintenance employees.
WHEN: Tuesday, June 17, 2008 at 10 a.m.
WHERE: Colorado Department of Transportation Headquarters- 4201 E. Arkansas Avenue
* WHY: In the last five years, since 2003, there have been 62 work zone fatalities, which averages out to be about 12 fatalities a year. What is often more surprising is that 85% of those fatalities are motorists or occupants, not highway workers. This summer, CDOT will have over 150 active construction zones statewide, not including maintenance work zones. With these statistics and the number of active projects, it is crucial to educate the traveling public about work zone safety.
VISUALS: CDOT will display a new safety device that maintenance crews across the state will utilize this summer. The device is called bi-directional safety trailer and it is designed to prevent vehicles from entering a work zone from either direction, protecting highways workers when they are exposed the most.
*Take I-25 to Colorado Boulevard and head north to E. Arkansas Avenue. Turn right on E. Arkansas Avenue CDOT is on the left-hand side. Parking is available in the coned off area in front of the building.