KEEPING WORKERS SAFE THIS SPRING
Workmen on township roads in Knox County see all sorts of antics from drivers passing through work zones. Talking on cell phones is one activity observed by workmen, where the driver may not pay enough attention to the machinery and workmen blocking part of the road for their work.
Not slowing down is another complaint often heard from maintenance crews. Since safety of workers and equipment is a major consideration where hazards are concerned, signs are used to warn drivers of work ahead. Every motorist has seen them: Large, square signs with the words “Road Work Ahead.”
Debbie McIlvoy, Monroe Township trustee, notes how important it is for people to adhere to impending road repairs.
“Be on the guard for our township crews,” she said. “It’s really important that motorists use caution — the crews are out on the road and they’re trying to make the road safer for us.
“The road guys put up signs stating 10 mph, one lane, mowing, etc., but it seems like motorists totally disregard these signs,” she said. “They’re putting our road guys in jeopardy.”
The signs are placed at a distance on each side of the work site so drivers can slow down in plenty of time. Two Knox County township workers agree the signs are pretty much ignored.
Tom Tyson and Mitch Simpson, who maintain township property, including roads, said drivers just zoom by. Apparently local road crews are not protected by the same fines that are imposed on drivers exceeding speed limits when going through major highway construction projects.
McIlvoy said that in Monroe Township, road crews pull the truck over onto the side of the road they are working on, placing it between them and passing motorists. That way, explained McIlvoy, if a motorist loses control, the motorist will hit the truck before hitting maintenance workers.
At this time of year, maintenance crews aren’t the only ones motorists need to watch out for.
“Farm equipment — that’s a real concern this time of the year that people just don’t think about,” said McIlvoy. “They don’t think about it because it’s seasonal.”
She said Monroe Township officials are trying to put up more road signs alerting people of farm machinery on well-traveled roads.
Workers moving on or along township roads also wear reflective safety vests. The bright colors are supposed to warn drivers to be careful at the site, where workers could potentially move into the lane of travel.
Still, there does not seem to be a problem with accidents on township roads in Knox County.
Monroe Township Trustee Neal Bower, a 20-year veteran paramedic with the College-Monroe Township Fire Department, said he can’t recall any injuries or damaged equipment from accidents in work zones.
But township road workers still are concerned the illegal actions of drivers could result in serious mishaps along township roads. McIlvoy said if the Knox County Sheriff’s Office is notified of road work being done, it’s possible that sheriff’s deputies could swing by the area occasionally, helping keep motorists in check.
“Visibility of patrol cars can go a long way,” she said. “People just have to use courtesy and common sense. The road crews are out there trying to make the road safe for us. We have to watch out for them, too.”