KERNERSVILLE, NC – More than 7,200 crashes and 38 deaths were caused last year by people not pay attention behind the wheel while driving through work zones in North Carolina.
An IMAP truck driver knows this all too well, Anthony Buie was nearly killed last May after being struck by a distracted driver who was speeding.
“I was inside my IMAP truck with my signaling lights flashing warning drivers to move over due to the accident ahead, the next portion of my account is from law enforcement because I was knocked unconscious.” Anthony had been struck from behind by a driver who was speeding and failed to move over.
Buie spent 5-months in intense recovery following the crash, but emotionally it still feels like it happened yesterday.
“While I am back on duty almost a year later, the lingering effects of that crash still exists for my family and me, financially, medically and emotionally. On behalf of myself and the thousands of NCDOT workers and contract crews who help connect you and your family to the places you need to go safely and efficiently, please allow us to go home alive at the end of our shifts.”
You can help protect state truck drivers like Buie by paying close attention to signs and work zone flaggers.
The N.C. Department of Transportation (NCDOT) reports 53,000 vehicles travel through the project work zones daily. Workers are often a few feet away from traffic at any point in time.
The NCDOT pleads with you to change your driving behaviors by doing the following.
- Pay close attention to signs and work zone flaggers
- Turn on headlights to be seen
- Obey posted speed limits
- Avoid changing lanes
- Keep an eye out for workers and equipment
- Avoid changing radio stations and using cell phones.
More safety information can be found at the NCDOT.
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