Columbia Gas and other organizations throughout Ohio are promoting National Work Zone Awareness Week from April 15-19. They encourage motorists to slow down, stay alert, and respect work zone directives to help prevent incidents and fatalities.
According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, there have been more than 25,000 work zone crashes and 98 crash-related deaths since 2019. Most crashes occur between Monday and Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
To reduce the number of work zone-related incidents and ensure safety for both workers and motorists, several safe driving practices are recommended. In an effort to deter distracted driving, state lawmakers passed Ohio House Bill 288. This law makes it illegal for drivers to use or hold a cell phone or electronic device while driving. The law took effect in April 2023, allowing officers to pull over any driver they see holding a phone behind the wheel. Drivers may face penalties ranging from $150 to $500 and a potential 90-day license suspension. Fines are doubled if the violation occurs in a work zone.
For additional statistics on work zone crashes and information on the Ohio State Highway Patrol’s new Work Zone Dashboard, visit "Ohio State Highway Patrol Unveils New Work Zone Dashboard | Ohio State Highway Patrol."
Columbia Gas of Ohio delivers natural gas to approximately 1.5 million customers across the state. Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, it is the largest natural gas utility in Ohio and one of NiSource’s seven regulated utility companies. NiSource serves approximately 3.5 million natural gas customers and 500,000 electric customers across seven states through its Columbia Gas and NIPSCO brands.
More information about Columbia Gas of Ohio and NiSource is available at www.ColumbiaGasOhio.com and www.nisource.com.