State transportation department asks public to slow down in work zone event

HELENA — The Montana Department of Transportation has an ask for drivers as they navigate construction along the state’s 73,000 miles of roadways this summer: Don’t be distracted. Slow down in construction zones. And be careful around emergency vehicles, tow trucks and when approaching an accident.

On Tuesday, Gov. Greg Gianforte and MDT Director Chris Dorrington walked around an event hosted by the transportation agency geared at connecting drivers with some of those who work on and around Montana’s roads.

Different stations were set up highlighting different parts of MDT’s work, including automated traffic control lights that help replace flaggers in certain areas. There was also a station that included a crack sealing machine, a paver, a grader, front-end loaders and even a street sweeper.

Montana Highway Patrol was also at the event, with a trooper speaking about the state’s “Move Over Montana” law that went into effect in 2023. Drivers must slow down to a temporary speed limit if they see one posted, and slow down 20 mph if they do not.

During the event, Dorrington said he would like to see more driver education instruction including how to safely navigate construction zones.

“I think we’re trying to push as much of the safety messages to the young drivers as you can. (They’re) definitely prone to distraction,” Dorrington said. “But they’re not the only ones. People of all ages are distracted. But if we could get this into, partly just the awareness of it, but into the driver’s ed programs, I think we’d have a real win.”

Dorrington also said MDT is looking at speed enforcement in work zones, possibly utilizing cameras, as potential legislation next session. These types of laws have been controversial, which Dorrington readily admitted.

But there is a serious problem with roadway fatalities, which numerous MDT employees at the event, as well as a group of tow-truck drivers associated with AAA, spoke to. It left an impression on the agency head.

“Everybody has a slightly different story,” Dorrington said. “And some of the scariest are their own safety experiences, ‘I was almost taken out by a semi truck,’ or something. Those are horrific stories.”

Statistics from the National Safety Council show 898 people were killed and 40,170 people were injured in work zone crashes nationally in 2023. According to National Workzone Safety, there have been almost a dozen fatal crashes in Montana work zones since 2020.

“By slowing down, minimizing distractions, and following posted signage, we can all do our part keeping everyone on Montana’s roadways safe,” Gianforte said.