Letter: At VDOT Safety Is No. 1 Priority   Dear Editor, Rockbridge Weekly: In the next few months, most people will drive through a highway work zone. It may happen on the morning commute to the office or on a long trip to the beach. You'll notice the orange cones, caution signs, large trucks and equipment and white hard hats. but most likely, you won't see the faces of the people who are working to make your commute better, safer and more efficient. Under those hard hats are the faces of mothers, fathers, sons and daughters who work every day to improve your commute in many ways, big and small. A distraction of only a few seconds and one of those workers could lose his or her life. At the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), we pride ourselves on making safety our number one priority. It is the first and most important thing we do every day. but our efforts alone aren't enough. Drives are also responsible for keeping work zone safe. It only takes one speeding driver or one glance at a cell phone to end someone's life. And, that life could be your own. Eighty-five percent of those killed in highway work zones are drivers or passengers. last year, seven people were killed in highway work zone crashes in Virginia. And although that's a 64 percent reduction in work zone crashes since 2007, we want to continue to reduce the number of work zone fatalities. VDOT is working to prevent work zone crashes with the national observance of Work Zone Awareness Week, April 6-April 10. This year's theme is "Drive To Survive - Our Future Is Riding On It." Help us keep our work zones safe. We ask that you follow these simple rules when you encounter a work zone; slow down, stay alert for changing conditions and avoid distractions. When you see the orange signs, avoid adjusting your music and talking on your cell phone. We do our best every day to ensure our highways are safe. We hope you will partner with us. Sincerely, Garrett Moore, P.E. District VDOT Administrator

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