TxDOT Amarillo Gets Really Creative For Work Zone Awareness Week

It's okay. You and I can be honest with each other. Road work is a pain in the neck, especially when you've spilled coffee on yourself and you're running late (happened this morning). That doesn't mean, though, that you don't have to slow down and pay attention.

This week is Work Zone Awareness Week, and TxDOT Amarillo has gotten really creative this year.

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Fatalities In Work Zones See Big Increase Over The Past Year

According to a media alert that was released by TxDOT Amarillo, work zone traffic fatalities in Amarillo increased by 33% over the previous year in 2021. There were over 26,000 crashes in highway construction and maintenance areas.

When I first heard the number, I couldn't believe it.

Work Zone Awareness Week Is April 11 Through April 15

This week marks a time when law enforcement agencies and safety advocates come together to remind people to slow down and pay attention. Work zones aren't the highlight of anyone's day, but it shouldn't potentially cost you your life.

After all, there's not one of us who doesn't want to make it to wherever it is we want to be.

That's the whole point of this week. Pay attention to the signs on the road, and be a little extra "aware" when you're driving through a work zone.

Cones And Cadillacs For Work Zone Awareness Week

Here comes the interesting part. A year ago I wrote an article about what I would put in my own version of Cadillac Ranch. It was cheesy, absurd, sarcastic, and very tongue-in-cheek.

Once the piece was published, I pushed it out of my mind thinking there would be no way that any one would read it. I was very wrong, however.

Long story short, some people at TxDOT saw my sarcastic piece about how Cadillac Ranch could be updated with traffic cones replacing the cars. They got the joke, and decided to act on it.

Traffic barrels are going to be buried in the style of the iconic cars at Cadillac Ranch. One, it's to help raise awareness for Work Zone Awareness Week. Two, it's to serve as a reminder of the lives that were lost to traffic accidents in work zones, and how we all need to slow down and do our part.

For more information, follow this link.