WHAT: “Operation Let Them Work”WHEN: Monday, April 7 through Friday, April 11
SYNOPSIS: The Collier County Sheriff’s Office will crack down on motorists who speed through road construction zones next week during “Operation Let Them Work.”
Deputies will be stationed at work zones at various times and locations throughout the week making sure drivers are obeying traffic laws. The goal is to bring awareness to the importance of driving with care through construction zones.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration a work-zone fatality happens every 8.2 hours, and a traffic-related work zone injury takes place every nine minutes.
“We do not want any Collier County citizen or road worker to become a national statistic,” said CCSO Safety and Traffic Enforcement Bureau Sgt. Chris Gonzalez. “At any given time we’re just one crash away from an unfortunate event. It’s everyone’s responsibility to drive safely and courteously.”
The operation coincides with National Work Zone Awareness Week.
The locations and dates of “Operation Let Them Work” are:
Monday: Collier Boulevard from Vanderbilt Beach Road to Immokalee Road
Tuesday: Rattlesnake Hammock Road west of Collier Boulevard to Polly Avenue
Wednesday: Collier Boulevard from Davis Boulevard to U.S. 41 East
Thursday: Santa Barbara Boulevard from Davis Boulevard to Copper Leaf Lane
Friday: I-75 from the Lee County line to Collier Boulevard
Gonzalez reminded drivers that speeding fines, which can range anywhere from $110 to $360.50, are doubled in work zones when workers are present.
Here are five tips for driving safely in work zones:
1. Slow down but be sure to keep up with traffic flow
2. Expect the unexpected
3. Don't tailgate
4. Pay attention to signs in and around work zones
5. Obey road-crew flaggers
Click here watch CCSO Sgt. Chris Gonzalez discuss “Operation Let Them Work.”
