ARDOT launches new campaign ‘slow down, phone down’

Minor ROCK, Ark. — Arkansas Division of Transportation (ARDOT), Arkansas Condition Police and highway law enforcement are all banding with each other to continue to keep perform zones safe—especially for construction personnel.

In 2021, much more than two thousand crashes took place in our state, resulting in 16 deaths.

ARDOT is hoping to increase recognition by way of their new “Sluggish Down, Cellphone Down” initiative.

“Slow down, cellphone down” are two basic items we all know, but will not often recall to do.

This new thrust will come just after two modern ARDOT worker deaths in Arkansas function zones.

“This is likely to be an emphasis all of 2022 and probably further than,” Ellen Coulter with the Arkansas Section of Transportation mentioned.

The number of Arkansas perform zone crashes and deaths go on to rise. 

With the alarming statistic of 54 accidents and 16 life misplaced previous 12 months on your own, Ellen Coulter stated one particular existence is just one far too several.

“Our construction staff and the men and women that we contract with, they go out each working day and they are risking their life to do these work opportunities to preserve our roads secure,” Coulter explained.

Although ARDOT does what it can to maintain its staff members protected, Coulter emphasizes that roadside basic safety needs to be a partnership.

“We definitely need individuals motorists likely through the function zones to do their element. Gradual down, shell out attention, and hold our personnel risk-free,” Coulter explained.

So how can you maintain employees and you secure when driving as a result of these work zones? It’s all in the title.

“A section of the reason why we named this campaign ‘slow down-telephone down’ is because that’s the two most uncomplicated matters you can do: gradual down, observe your velocity, eradicate the interruptions,” Coulter claimed.

ARDOT mentioned this is not intended to be a “gotcha” campaign, but you will see a lot more law enforcement in perform zones together point out highways. 

The major takeaway with the initiative is to test and preserve everybody risk-free.