SEATTLE — Another day, another plea from the Washington State Department of Transportation: Slow down, pay attention and don't drive in work zones.
On April 12, WSDOT reported there were three collisions in one hour on Interstate 5 in Everett and Interstate 405 in Renton.
"A lot of these collisions are avoidable and preventable," said WSDOT spokesperson Aisha Dayal. "We're a family, so the agency feels it. We want people to know these workers are not just people in vests and gear, they're people. These are coworkers, our friends, people in your community."
The warning comes before WSDOT participates in National Work Zone Awareness Week from April 15-19.
Just days ago, on April 9, four drivers crashed into WSDOT work zones along I-5 in less than 24 hours between Vancouver and Everett. None of the workers were injured and one driver suffered minor injuries.
Collisions are the result of vehicles following each other too closely, high speeds, and distracted driving, according to WSDOT. In addition to fatalities, 28 other collisions left workers seriously injured last year, and dangerous driving continues to harm workers, according to WSDOT.
In January, six workers were injured in a crash in Vancouver; the driver was suspected of driving under the influence and arrested by Washington State Patrol. In March, three more WSDOT workers were hospitalized when a driver crashed into their work zone in Federal Way.
One of the injured workers, Valerie Bergmann, spoke about the experience earlier in the week.
"Not knowing what was going to happen and it all happened so fast, but it definitely makes you question a lot of things," Bergmann said. "It's very dangerous. It's a dangerous job. Each day is a new day, not knowing what you are going to walk into."
Weekend traffic alerts
Westbound traffic of the I-90 tunnel closes Friday night between Mercer Island and Seattle for tunnel maintenance. The closure begins at 10 p.m. April 12 until 6 a.m. Saturday, April 13. On-ramps close at 9:30 p.m. at West Mercer Way, 76th Avenue Southeast and Island Crest Way HOV.
WSDOT is closing three northbound I-5 lanes between north Boeing Field and Albro Place from 10 p.m. Friday, April 12, until 4 a.m. Monday, April 15, for construction. The Bailey Street on ramp to I-5 will also be closed.
The West Seattle Water Taxi service is suspended Saturday and Sunday for maintenance. Service resumes Monday, April 15.
Track KING 5’s traffic resources to help you navigate western Washington roads and get to your destination safely.