Work Zone Safety - From a Widow's Perspective

A plea - from the wife of Dennis Beard, who was killed in an Illinois work zone in 2012. Let her words sound in your ears any time you see construction or flashing yellow lights.


This (click to see photos) is my husband, Dennis. The most important part of his life was his family and friends. Second was his work. Dennis was very passionate about his work, the people who worked for him, and their safety and well being. On May 22nd Dennis, his nephews Kory Links and Adam Evans, and his friend Brian Moore were all struck by a vehicle while doing their jobs. Dennis was killed by this driver whom was driving dangerously and erratically at a high rate of speed in a construction zone. Dennis was not killed instantly, but lived a very short while, alert and thinking he was going to survive. Because of one person's negligence, Dennis' precious life was taken from us and the lives of his family have been changed forever.

I cannot explain the devastation this has caused our family. We lost our dear Dennis - a husband, a father, a son, a brother, an uncle, a great-uncle, a cousin, and a friend to many, many people. If you just try to imagine what it would be like to have to come home and tell your children who walk in the door smiling that their dad was just killed at work - you would think about how IMPORTANT it is to pay attention and slow down in work zones. Our family will never be the same because of the constant pain we feel and the huge hole we now have in our family and hearts.

Please let me tell you a little bit about Dennis. Most importantly, Dennis was not ready to leave this earth. He had many things left unfinished. He has three children - Tessa age 12, James 8, and Alayna 4. He just recently involved his children and nephews in go-kart racing. Dennis spent every waking hour outside of work working on the go-karts for the next following week’s race. He loved the outdoors and wanted his kids to love it too. He took them boating, camping, hunting, snowmobiling, four-wheeling, racing, and most recently they began fishing together. Dennis had a big heart and was always very giving to everyone he knew and met.

The single most important thing that you can do for our family and other families who have loved ones working on the roads is to be patient, pay attention, and slow down in construction zones. Everyone wants their loved ones to return home every single day from work. My husband left for work and was gone from this earth three hours later. We didn’t even have a chance to say good bye.

Sincerely,
Josie Beard

See pictures of Dennis, Josie and their family here.

Work Zone Awareness Week - Don't Barrel Through Work Zones

It is Work Zone Awareness Week.

You'll likely see news stories and hear messages about watching your speed, paying special attention and taking extra care when you see orange.

Work zones were on my mind as I traveled several hundred Missouri miles this week. What I saw was good!

When approaching a zone, I saw that motorists adjusted their speed, left room between them and the car in front of them and I didn't see a texter or cell phone using driver.

Impressive!

Still, a St. Louis area motorist died Friday when another motorist struck his car in a work zone, causing him to leave the road and overturn.

It only takes a split-second for a smooth trip to turn into a tragedy. And there are lots of close calls - as this video attests: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VtSztiB4se8

For your safety and the safety of my coworkers, please ramp up your vigilance when traveling in a work zone and be sure to buckle up.

Taking Extra Steps

104 miles. That is the distance a MoDOT employee and his wife will walk on the Katy Trail from St. Charles to Jefferson City for five days. They are making this journey to raise money towards the construction of a Fallen Workers Memorial in Jefferson City.

MoDOT Weldon Spring Maintenance Crew Leader Jim Feeney, and his wife, Theo, left this morning from St. Charles. The walk will end on Tuesday, Oct. 11, in Jefferson City.

The memorial will honor MoDOT employees who have been killed in the line of duty. It will be totally funded by private donations.

Anyone wishing to make a contribution to the memorial fund can make a check payable to State Highway & Transportation Employees Association of Missouri and mail it to: Fallen Workers Memorial, Attn: Dave B. Taylor, 3929 East 7th St., Joplin, Mo., 64801.

Barrel Bob Praise

Today we're sharing some Barrel Bob praise from the KC area. Want to show him some love? Visit Bob on facebook!  

Work Zone Safety is Personal

As part of work zone awareness week, we asked employees why work zones are personal to them and to motorists. 

Why is work zone safety important to Cory March, maintenance crew leader in Lancaster? 

"Everyone needs to take into consideration the importance of work zone safety. We all have families to go home to at night or would like to see again. 

Learn, practice and get to know work zone safety. Our lives depend on it."

Even Barrel Bob couldn't say it better. Don't barrel through work zones!

Have You Seen This Barrel?

As more work zones pop up in Missouri, be on the lookout for Barrel Bob. Bob is MoDOT's latest work zone spokesbarrel, and has quite a travel schedule coming up. He'll be visiting work zones across the state, warning drivers to slow down in work zones and bringing attention to the importance of work zone safety. You'll see alot more of Bob in the coming weeks, especially with Work Zone Awareness Week beginning next Monday.

At eleven feet tall, he shouldn't go unnoticed. But if you want to follow his wherabouts, catch the inside scoop on his facebook page. 

You'll likely hear him on the radio, too. 

A Windy Week

MoDOT employee Kris Sandgren completed day 22 of his 2,600-mile ride from Anacortes, WA to Jefferson City, MO, in honor of MoDOT's fallen workers. Learn more about what inspired his ride, and check back here for more updates as he heads south for the rest of his trip.

Day 21 -- Monday, July 12

Kris keeps traveling east across southern South Dakota and hits Sioux City, IA, just after noon. He's riding in light rain. He skirts Sioux City, pedaling in fast traffic across a bridge over the Missouri River as close to the outer railing as he could. He puts his head down and pushes hard. "I didn't look back," he said.

He continues south on U.S. 75 along the west side of the river. He encounters hills north of Tekamah, NE, and is chased by dogs -- three of them -- for the first time on the ride. He grabs his canine repellent. "I just gave the lead dog a shot and the other two quit on their own." He has dinner at a Subway in Tekamah and checks into a local motel, small but clean. "I seem to be wearing down on the camping thing." Besides it looks like rain again and he doesn't want to be outdoors.

Day 22 -- Tuesday, July 13

Before leaving Tekamah, NE, Kris visits with the editor of the Burt County Plaindealer. Kris hits the road mid-morning and encounters strong head winds as he approaches Omaha, NE. "The wind is tormenting me. It blessed me across Montana. Now it's cursing me." He plans to spend the night with friends in Omaha.

Watch for more details as Kris completes the last days of his journey.
If you would like to make a donation or pledge by the mile in support of his ride:


Make check payable to:
State Highway & Transportation Employees
Association of Missouri
Mail to:
Fallen Workers' Memorial
c/o District 7 Highway Credit Union
3901 E. 32nd St., Suite A
Joplin, MO 64804
Attention: Dave B. Taylor

Reflecting on the Ride for Remembrance

Nothing but beautiful people and beautiful memories graced the Jaycee’s Fairgrounds last weekend as co-workers, friends and loved ones attended the 2010 Ride for Remembrance in honor of MoDOT workers killed in the line of duty.

Although it was scheduled to rain the day of the celebration, attendance was high. I was happy to see the many motorcyclists that came to participate. One of the most memorable moments was when family members released white balloons into the air in honor of their loved ones. Seeing so many people in cheerful spirits reminded me that the day was not meant to mourn losses, but to celebrate lives.

I had never been to such a ceremony and was very touched by all of the activities that took place. As much as I was touched, I was also tickled by the MoDOT Divas performance. The singing group is made up of three MoDOT employees who sang beautifully at the celebration. I must admit that the dunk tank contest was quite amusing as well. The cool water must have felt good to the employees that participated on such a humid and muggy day.

While the Ride for Remembrance celebration has only been around since last year, I am sure it will be an event that co-workers and family members will continue to enjoy throughout the years.

Many of us know what it feels like to lose someone that we love, but a helping hand always eases the pain. The Ride for Remembrance celebration was certainly a very fun and sincere way for MoDOT employees to extend themselves to such deserving families.

All of the funds raised at the Ride for Remembrance celebration went towards the fallen workers' memorial. For more information about the celebration or to donate to the memorial, please visit http://www.moshea.org/.

A Vacation to Remember

When I plan a vacation, it usually involves relaxing and doing as little as possible. For MoDOT employee Kris Sandgren, his plans are much more noble.

Sandgren is a Maintenance Crew Leader with MoDOT and an avid bicyclist from Springfield, Mo.. Today, he began a 2,600 mile bicycle journey today to bring attention to the importance of work zone safety and raise money for a Missouri Fallen Workers' Memorial.

"When I first heard about the monument, I thought it was a great idea," Sandgren said. "Some of our losses were close to home. It made me think about the monument a lot harder when it happened to people I knew."

Sandgren left from Anacortes, Wash., to spend three weeks of his own vacation time pedaling through seven states. He will ride approximately 100 miles per day and end his journey in Jefferson City, Mo. In between, he will travel through Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota and Iowa.

Since 1932, 130 MoDOT employees have died in the line of duty. Sandgren's ride highlights the importance of slowing down and using extra caution when traveling through a work zone and honors those workers who have lost their lives.

The memorial will be paid for entirely by private donations. About half of the needed $94,000 has been raised. The planned location is near the MoDOT headquarters building in Jefferson City, on the Capitol grounds.

To make a donation or pledge by the mile:

Make check payable to:

State Highway & Transportation Employees

Association of Missouri

Mail to:

Fallen Workers Memorial

c/o District 7 Highway Credit Union

3901 E. 32nd St., Suite A

Joplin, MO 64804

Attention: Dave B. Taylor

Rate Our Work Zones

Next time you travel through a work zone on a state highway, take a second to evaluate it. Did you have enough warning that you were approaching the work zone? Were the signs understandable and easy to see? Did you feel safe?

Then when you return home or reach your destination (not in your car, please), go to http://www.modot.org/ let us know how we’re doing. The work zone customer survey gives you a chance to rate our work zones with the goal of making them safer and better.

Since the survey was made available last year, more than 2,000 people have provided feedback and MoDOT work zones are meeting customer expectations 90 percent of the time.

What about that other 10 percent? That other 10 percent is the reason we need your help. Leave your comments and let us know what we can do to improve the work zone. Visit http://www.modot.org/ and click on the Rate Our Work Zones button.

Driver Arrested After Unbelted Passenger Dies in Work Zone Crash

A driver has been arrested for vehicular homicide because his unbelted passenger was killed in an early-morning traffic crash in a work zone Monday in the state of Washington. According to the Seattle Times, just after midnight Monday, the driver and his passenger were heading south on Interstate 5 when they crashed through several barrels in a work zone, and slammed into the back of a parked transportation department pickup. And although the driver was belted and he survived, he could pay with the rest of his life for allowing his passenger to ride unbelted.

This story hits close to home, because even though it took place in Washington and not Missouri, it touches on two traffic issues in our state that affect us all: work zones and seat belts. And this situation is especially poignant right now because April 19 kicks off work zone awareness week, which means you’ll be seeing orange barrels all over the state soon.

And unfortunately, crashes in work zones happen more than you may think. In fact, in 2009 there were almost 2,200 crashes in Missouri work zones. Thirteen people were killed in these crashes and another 670 injured. Between 2005 and 2009, 64 people were killed and 4,260 people were injured in Missouri work zones.

Although there are various reasons for work zone crashes like inattention, following too closely, improper lane usage/change, too fast for conditions and failure to yield – the main reason traffic fatalities are so high is because motorists don’t buckle up. In 2009, of the 878 total traffic fatalities, 693 were vehicle occupant fatalities and 67 percent of them were not wearing a seat belt.

I don’t let anyone ride in my vehicle unless they are buckled, period. And I pay attention and follow the signs in work zones. If we all remembered these few rules, we’d have fewer families mourning the loss of loved ones. So remember, Buckle up and Don’t Barrel Through Work Zones. Arrive Alive.

Tall, Orange and Handsome

Hold onto that steering wheel.

This week, a tall, orange and handsome stranger arrived in Kansas City. Known as Barrel Bob, he began his job this week as a fixture on the kcICON Project, reminding motorists to slow down and take it easy in a work zone.

Barrel Bob won't be a stranger for long -- he has a debut appearance in a PSA about driving safely in the kcICON Corridor. Don't miss it.
Who's behind those barrels? He's the creation of Robert Ohl, a Clarkson Construction employee. Barrel Bob took about 10 hours to build and comes in standard safety gear.

Making a Difference

Jim Feeney turned extra steps into extra miles last week, walking to raise awareness about work zone safety for his fellow MoDOT co-workers.

Feeney, a maintenance crew leader in the St. Louis area, walked 87.2 miles along the Katy Trail from Weldon Spring to Jefferson City to pay tribute to fellow workers who have been killed in the line of duty and to encourage support for a memorial honoring fallen MoDOT employees.

Feeney's wife, Theo, walked with him and was not surprised at all when her husband proposed the idea.

"That's Jim," said Theo. "This is normal because he likes to make a difference."

Lee's Summit Man Wins GPS System

One Missouri man took the time to learn more about work zone safety in Missouri and was rewarded with a brand new Garmin nuvi 750 GPS system.

Lee's Summit resident, Buck Sommerkamp, entered to win the GPS while visiting the MoDOT Web site and learning how to Arrive Alive while traveling in Missouri work zones. Some of the tips included slow down, drive sober, follow the signs and always buckle up.

“I’ve been buckling up since driver’s ed in high school,” Sommerkamp said. “We couldn’t turn the key until our seat belts were buckled, and that’s something I’ve taught both my boys.”

The contest was part of the annual work zone safety campaign sponsored by MoDOT that ran April through September. The campaign utilized online advertising to drive Missourians to http://www.modot.org/ where they could find a current listing of work zones and work zone safety tips. They could also enter to win baseball tickets and the free GPS.

More than 3,000 entries were received during the campaign. From April to July, two names were randomly selected each week for free Cardinals or Royals tickets. A grand-prize winner was randomly drawn for the GPS system. The baseball tickets were donated by TrueMedia in Columbia; the GPS system was donated by Garmin International.

In 2008, 12 people were killed in work zones, an increase from 2007 when five people were killed. Three MoDOT employees lost their lives on the job during 2008. Speed, inattention and tailgating are cited as the cause of most crashes in areas where roadwork is under way.


The GPS system will help Sommerkamp travel safely through work zones in the future.

Be On the Lookout for Striping Crews

This is a busy time for highway striping crews. These workers are taking advantage of the warm, dry weather to paint brighter, more visible lines on Missouri roads.

Despite the fact that several trucks, complete with flashing signs, travel behind the paint truck to warn drivers to slow down and change lanes, five MoDOT crews have already been involved in crashes this year and have narrowly escaped injuries.

So what more do motorists need, you might ask? MoDOT has a ready response: pay attention and focus on the task at hand - driving. Be patient, obey the speed limit, don't talk or text on cell phones, keep a safe distance from other cars and buckle up.

That just may keep a near-miss from happening to you.

Keep Your Cool

Summer officially began this week, and the heat is here in Missouri to prove it. If you're like me, you'll be spending some time looking for ways to keep cool. Swimming pools, movie theaters and a vacation to just about anywhere come to mind.

One of the most important places to keep your cool is on the road. MoDOT's Director Pete Rahn speaks this week about some of the biggest work zones to watch out for. There's not much use in heading to the pool or other summer activities if you're not going to get there safely. Focus on your driving, slow down when you see a work zone and arrive alive.

Save Gas, Time with MoDOT's New Construction Map

Want to save gas? Want to save time? Want to save yourself some aggravation when you're stuck in traffic in a highway work zone?

The Missouri Department of Transportation's new 2008 Statewide Construction Map can help with all of that. The full-color, 17-by-22-inch map details nearly 180 major construction sites across the state.

Although not a complete listing of all MoDOT construction projects, the map features descriptions of various projects that may affect traffic across the state this year. The map is useful for over-the-road truck drivers, visitors planning a trip across Missouri highways and Missouri citizens who want to learn more about roadwork on their routes.

"This map is a great way to find out in advance where you may run into traffic backups," said MoDOT Director Pete Rahn. "It may help you avoid work zones, and get to your destination more quickly. If you can't avoid them, the map will let you know to build in extra time and drive carefully."

Up-to-the-minute work zone information can be found on MoDOT's Web site at http://www.modot.org/

Copies of the 2008 Statewide Construction Map are available at tourist information centers, rest areas, and at each of the department's 10 district offices. Request a copy by calling MoDOT's customer service center toll-free at 1-888-ASK MODOT (275-6636), or send an e-mail request to: comments@modot.mo.gov.

Drivers Reminded Not to Barrel Through Work Zones

JEFFERSON CITY - Too many Missouri Department of Transportation employees can tell harrowing stories of near misses in work zones and accidents that left them in the ditch, on top of their truck or in the hospital. One message these workers have for Missouri motorists is: "When you see orange signs, they are there for a reason. Slow down and be alert."

As highway construction again gears up for the year, MoDOT is working to prevent work zone accidents by reminding motorists, "Don't Barrel Through Work Zones." Billboard and radio advertising throughout the state will carry that message through the construction season.

MoDOT is also sponsoring Operation Orange for the second year to increase work zone awareness and honor fallen workers by lighting state landmarks orange during Work Zone Awareness Week, April 7-11. In addition to MoDOT buildings statewide, other facilities that will be lit orange include the St. Louis Science Center Planetarium, Busch Stadium, the St. Louis Zoo, the Boone County Courthouse, the Shelter Insurance Gardens' fountain in Columbia, the Emerson Bridge in Cape Girardeau, Hammons Field in Springfield and the Branson Landing.

More information about Operation Orange can be found at www.modot.org/operationorange.
"Work zone deaths and injuries are preventable," MoDOT Director Pete Rahn said. "Most often they are caused by inattention. We need drivers to be alert."

Education and enforcement efforts, along with improved engineering measures, appear to be paying off. In 2007, five people were killed in work zones, a 74 percent decrease from 2006 when 19 people were killed. Work zone injuries decreased more than 33 percent. There were approximately 800 people injured in 2007 work zones, compared to 1,190 in 2006.

According to Missouri statistics, most work zone crashes are caused by inattention, excessive speed and following too closely. Motorists are the ones most likely to be killed or injured in a work-zone crash.

Work zones will be all over the state again this year as MoDOT continues its Better Roads, Brighter Future initiative. The plan calls for improvements on 5,600 more miles of major roadways by 2011 and will bring 85 percent of Missouri's roadways up to good condition.

The Better Roads, Brighter Future program targets highways carrying 80 percent of all traffic on the state highway system-that's 103 million miles traveled a day. When the program is complete at the end of 2011, the improved roads will prevent approximately 85 disabling injuries and save 10 lives every year.

Beginning this year, crews will also be working hard on the Interstate 64 construction project in St. Louis, as well as the kcICON project to improve Interstate 29 and Interstate 35 in north Kansas City, including a new Christopher S. Bond Bridge. Work will also begin on the Safe and Sound Bridge Improvement Program, which will improve 800 bridges over the next five years.

For more information about construction projects statewide or to access the 2008 statewide construction map, visit http://www.modot.org/ or call 888-ASK-MODOT (275-6636).

Editor's note: Attached is a partial list of buildings and landmarks that will participate in Operation Orange during Work Zone Awareness Week. The list will be updated as additional places are added. Visit www.modot.org/operationorange for periodic updates.

Operation Orange Participants (As of March 28)

Northwest Region
East Hills Library, St. Joseph
Troop H Highway Patrol
MoDOT District Office, St. Joseph
North Central Region
Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop B Headquarters
MoDOT District Office, Macon

Northeast Region
City of LaGrange
Lincoln County Commission, Troy
Ayers Oil Company, reader boards on major routes
Abel Oil Company, reader boards on major routes
Mercantile Bank, Louisiana
Bank of Lincoln County, Winfield
Jim Trenary Chevrolet, Troy
MoDOT District Office, Hannibal
Maintenance facilities on major routes

Kansas City Area
Kauffman Stadium
Belton Water Tower
Kansas City Parks and Recreation, Wornall Road Bridge at Brush Creek
City of Lee's Summit, Police Station
Downtown (Kansas City) Marriott Hotel
Country Club Plaza, fountain
Unity Village Tower
City of Harrisonville, City Hall
North Kansas City, City Hall
Hampton Inn, Clinton
Memorial Fountain, Grandview
MoDOT District Office and maintenance buildings

Central Region
Boone County Courthouse
Shelter Insurance Gardens - fountain
MoDOT District 5 Office
MoDOT Central Office

St. Louis Area
Six Flags St. Louis - marquee
Lumiere Place
Maritz
Saint Louis Science Center - Planetarium
Kiener Plaza - fountain
Logan College of Chiropractic
St. Louis Cardinals Busch Stadium - message boards
America's Center - message boards
St. Louis Zoo
Missouri Botanical Gardens - Ridgeway Center
Residence Inn
Balke Brown Associates
Kozeny Wagner Contracting
Larry West, N.B. Contracting
Vinita Park City Hall
MoDOT Transportation Management Center

Southwest Region
Welcome Center, Joplin
MoDOT District Office, Joplin

Springfield Area
Hammons Field, Springfield
Branson Landing, Branson
MoDOT District Offices

South Central Region
Westgate GMAC Real Estate, West Plains
Great Rivers Distributing (Anheuser-Busch Distributor), West Plains
Holiday Inn Express, Rolla
MoDOT District Office

Southeast Region
Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge, Cape Girardeau
City of Cape Girardeau
Cape Girardeau Central High School
Cape Girardeau Career and Technology Center
Drury Southwest Signs
Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop E, Poplar Bluff and Sikeston offices
Poplar Bluff Chamber of Commerce
Pemiscot County Courthouse
City of Farmington, water tower
MoDOT District Office, Sikeston