SPOKANE, Wash. — Washington State Department of Transportation crews are hoping drivers will do their part to keep them safe on the side of the roads.
About 60 WSDOT employees have lost their lives on the job since 1950. Last year, there were over 1,500 crashes in work zones.
Just last month, a WSDOT crew was nearly hit on State Route 3 as they worked on the shoulder. One of them closed his eyes and jumped down an embankment to escape a semi-truck barreling down the guardrail toward him.
WSDOT East employees said they want the public to know how dangerous their jobs can be.
"We are servicing you as the public and we are trying to do the best we can to take care of you on the roads," said Mark Bergman with WSDOT East. "Yes, we know it's inconvenience but also remember those are real people on those other sides of the cones. Those folks who are working on the side of roads have families that they need to get home to.”
"You've got cars going by at 60 to 70 miles an hour and you are concentrated on your work zone. You're not concentrated on traffic," said Jeremy Scott with WSDOT East. "I've personally been hit with a trunk mounted attenuator and several other guys have too on my crew. It's dangerous there's just no way around it. There's no time to react."
On Wednesday, WSDOT employees honored other workers who lost their lives on the job with a ceremony and walk. They wore orange to spread awareness for work zone safety.
Employees also observed a moment of silence, honoring the lives of the 60 people who never made it home.
Washington drivers can face a $136 fine if they fail to move over or slow down when passing WSDOT crews or emergency vehicles.