LANSING, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Following the news of two recent road worker deaths, the MIchigan Department of Transportation is reminding citizens of work zone safety.
According to an official press release, 48-year-old Kevin White passed away last week in the Michigan Department of Transportation’s (MDOT) Coloma garage.
White, a maintenance worker, died from injuries sustained when a tire from a passing truck struck him while he was clearing large debris from the shoulder of I-94 in Berrien County. White was a nine-year MDOT employee, as well as the Benton Township supervisor.
White’s death is said to be the first on-the-job work zone fatality of an MDOT employee since 2008.
In September, 54-year-old Barry Hause, a worker for the road building firm C&D Hughes, was hit by a car while working at night to repair concrete pavement on I-96 near Portland.
“At MDOT, our goal for the driving public and the workforce is zero deaths,” State Transportation Director Paul C. Ajegba said. “No death is acceptable, and we will remain vigilant in our efforts to ensure the safety of the private-industry and public employees doing the vital work of building and maintaining our roads.”
MDOT is offering drivers the following tips to staying safe in a work zone, among others.
- Minimize Distractions
- Don’t Speed or Tailgate
- Pay Attention to Other Drivers
- Obey Road Crews and Signs
- Be Patient and Stay Calm
- Expect the Unexpected
Citizens can learn more online by visiting https://www.michigan.gov/WorkZoneSafety.
