Sgt. Dan Anders wants to keep roads safe.
He’s one of several officers patroling Interstate 77 after a new speed limit change is going into effect.
“We just need to do our best to try to make it safe, for the workers, for the motor and public and for us,” said Anders, of the Independence Police Department.
Starting today, motorists will have to slow down in construction zones between Valley Parkway and Pleasant Valley Road. The speed limit is reduced from 60 to 50 miles per hour.
According to the Ohio Department of Transportation, the area has seen four serious accidents, including on fatality, on the stretch of highway. ODOT spokesperson Jackie Schafer said many accidents involve drunk and inattentive drivers.
Construction workers, like Greg Wood, have been injured on the job due to distracted drivers. In 2009, he was nearly killed after being hit by a drunk driver. That person is serving prison time as a result.
“Both legs were broken from under me, my ribs were broken, my shoulder, my teeth were chipped,” said Wood, who was out of work for a year-and-a-half. “We’re out there doing our job, performing a public service to make the roads better and it’s a sad thing to see how reckless people can be.”
Wood sustained permanent injuries from the accident, but he said construction work is a big part of his life. He’s been in this line of work for 27 years.
Wood said when you slow down, stay focused on the road.
“The first thing you do is reach for the radio or check your text messages, things like that,” he said. “These are the things that you don’t do for those few moments you go through the construction zone. You actually need to pay more attention and be more cautious.
ODOT says the 50 mile an hour speed limit will remain in effect through this fall until construction along that area of I-77 is complete. The new limit will be heavily enforced and if you speed, fines are doubled.
Sgt. Dan Anders wants to keep roads safe.
He’s one of several officers patroling Interstate 77 after a new speed limit change is going into effect..
“We just need to do our best to try to make it safe, for the workers, for the motor and public and for us,” said Anders, of the Independence Police Department.
Starting today, motorists will have to slow down in construction zones between Valley Parkway and Pleasant Valley Road. The speed limit is reduced from 60 to 50 miles per hour.
According to the Ohio Department of Transportation, the area has seen four serious accidents, including on fatality, on the stretch of highway. ODOT spokesperson Jackie Schafer said many accidents involve drunk and inattentive drivers.
Construction workers, like Greg Wood, have been injured on the job due to distracted drivers. In 2009, he was nearly killed after being hit by a drunk driver. That person is serving prison time as a result.
“Both legs were broken from under me, my ribs were broken, my shoulder, my teeth were chipped,” said Wood, who was out of work for a year-and-a-half. “We’re out there doing our job, performing a public service to make the roads better and it’s a sad thing to see how reckless people can be.”
Wood sustained permanent injuries from the accident, but he said construction work is a big part of his life. He’s been in this line of work for 27 years.
Wood said when you slow down, stay focused on the road.
“The first thing you do is reach for the radio or check your text messages, things like that,” he said. “These are the things that you don’t do for those few moments you go through the construction zone. You actually need to pay more attention and be more cautious.
ODOT says the 50 mile an hour speed limit will remain in effect through this fall until construction along that area of I-77 is complete. The new limit will be heavily enforced and if you speed, fines are doubled.