Road construction season is underway in Illinois.
This is National Work Zone Awareness week and the Illinois Department of Transportation is launching its “Embrace the Orange” public safety campaign.
The effort encourages all drivers to be extra careful as they pass through work zones. I-dot safety engineer Priscilla Tobias says speeding and distracted driving are the biggest contributors to crashes. On average, there are over seven thousand work zone crashes each year in Illinois. Last year, 24 people died in highway construction areas.
State police will use photo enforcement to help catch speeders. Signs will be posted when cameras are being used. State police remind drivers that fines are stiff for speeding in construction zones and that talking on a cell phone in these areas is illegal unless you use a hands-free device.