Slow down for road work zones

To the editor:

The week of April 15 was National Work Zone Awareness Week.

Each year at the start of the highway construction season, the state transportation department participates in this national campaign to remind motorists about the importance of driving safely and responsibly in and around work zones.

At the transportation department, safety is our top priority. We take every step possible to protect our highway workers by deploying the latest technology in crash attenuators, flashing yellow lights, signs, cones, barrels and reflective gear, among other things.

The biggest risk to our highway workers is the motorist. By paying attention to your driving, you are saving a life.

Please do your part to help our highway workers return home safely to their families each night.

Put down your cell phone. Move over for flashing lights. And slow down.

There is someone’s life behind those work zone traffic control devices.

And for those who choose to ignore the rules of the road, be forewarned: the transportation department is working with the police on targeted enforcement and deploying automated speed enforcement cameras in our work zones.

Rich Causin

The author is the Long Island regional director of the state’s transportation department