DOTD holds press conference for Work Zone Awareness Week in Lafayette
Monday, March 23, 2015 at 4:23:39 PM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Deidra Lockhart
March 23, 2015 337-262 6133
LAFAYETTE, La. – The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) today at a press conference to discuss the importance of driving safely through work zones. The press conference was held in conjunction with National Work Zone Awareness Week and declared in Louisiana by Gov. Bobby Jindal as March 23 through 27.
“Tremendous progress has been made to improve safety on Louisiana’s roadways,” said District Engineer Administrator, Bill Oliver. “I urge everyone to practice safe driving and remain cautious and focused, especially when traveling through Louisiana’s work zones.”
The press conference was held at the Lafayette DOTD district office where an 8-cone memorial was displayed to represent the lives lost in Louisiana work zones in 2013, with three of those in the greater Lafayette area. A total of 579 work zone related deaths have occurred nationwide. Additionally, statistics show that 401 people have died from motor-vehicle crashes in Louisiana’s work zones since 1982. The data gathered is the most recent year for which figures were available from the federal Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
Speakers at the ceremony included Representative Terry Landry, Louisiana State Representative, District 96; and members of the Destination Zero Deaths initiative including Master Trooper Brooks David, Public Information Officer, Louisiana State Police for Troop I; and, Melanie Bordelon, Regional Coordinator for the Acadiana Transportation Safety Coalition (ATSC).
David said, "The Louisiana State Police is a proud partner with the Department of Transportation and Development as we continue to work collectively to promote work zone safety in Louisiana.”
“ATSC is committed to increasing public awareness and directly improving safety not only for workers, but for the traveling public as well,” Bordelon added.
