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West Virginia's highways and byways are littered with stretches of orange barrels these days, and though that can be frustrating, we are glad to see such work being done. But it is not just orange barrels at those construction sites. The speed limit is reduced in those zones because there are human beings on the job there, too.
Still, too many disregard the posted speed limit in those construction work zones, putting lives at risk.
Last week, police officers set up targeted enforcement of the speed limit in a state Department of Highways work zone on Interstate 64, near Huntington. The posted limit there was 55 mph.
On just the first day of that targeted enforcement, officers stopped more than 120 drivers who were speeding or otherwise disobeying traffic laws.
According to the West Virginia Department of Transportation, one driver was clocked at 81 mph in that construction zone.
"Work zone safety is about keeping every worker, every driver, and every passenger safe in every work zone," said WVDOT spokesperson Randy Damron. "We each play a role in getting everyone home safe at the end of the day."
Surely responsible drivers understand that. But last year alone there were 800 crashes in West Virginia work zones, resulting in the deaths of 8 people and 276 injured. According to the DOT, all of those crashes were avoidable.
Yes, as Damron points out, it is easy to be in a hurry or distracted -- even in a work zone. Doing so can be deadly.
"But we need every driver to work with us and remain alert each time they get behind the wheel," Damron said.
Remaining alert includes being aware of and sticking to that speed limit. It is not there to inconvenience drivers. It is in place to keep workers and drivers safer in those zones.
Leave early enough that work zones aren't a problem, don't drive distracted, and stay focused on making sure everyone makes it home safely.