With the warmer months fast approaching, the Michigan Department of Transportation is reminding motorists to be on the lookout for orange barrels and to drive safely through construction zones as crews work to fix our roads.

This week, in an effort to highlight work zone safety during National Work Zone Safety Awareness Week, MDOT is encouraging people to wear orange and to share images including the hashtags #Orange4Safety and #NWZAW to help spread awareness.

Work zone safety is a serious concern. The state Office of Highway Safety Planning reports that in 2017, there were 4,341 work zone crashes that resulted in 23 fatalities and 808 injury crashes. It is a sad commentary that so many needless accidents occur in work zones that are highly visible and clearly marked.

Most of these crashes happen during the day between the months of May and September, when the weather is nicer. Statistics show that, unfortunately, inattentive or distracted drivers cause them, with the leading cause of death being driving too fast for the conditions. As I discussed in a previous column, distracted driving is a worsening problem with too much at stake  —  it endangers road crews and other drivers and passengers, and lives can be irrevocably changed in fractions of a second.

We should be alert when behind the wheel at all times, but especially while driving through work zones. Join me and let’s work to be a part of the solution to improve work zone safety, not only during National Work Zone Safety Awareness Week, but every time we drive.

Kim LaSata, R, represents the 21st District, which includes Berrien, Cass and St. Joseph counties. She can be reached at (517) 373-6960 or SenKLaSata@senate.michigan.gov