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West Virginia's highways and byways are littered with stretches of orange barrels these days, and though that can be frustrating, we are glad to see such work being done. But it is not just orange barrels at those construction sites. The speed limit is reduced because there are people on the job, too.
Still, too many disregard the posted speed limit in those construction work zones, putting lives at risk.
Recently, police officers set up targeted enforcement of the speed limit in a state Department of Highways work zone on Interstate 64, near Huntington. The posted limit there was 55 mph.
On just the first day of that targeted enforcement, officers stopped more than 120 drivers who were disobeying traffic laws.
According to the West Virginia Department of Transportation, one driver was clocked at 81 mph.
"Work zone safety is about keeping every worker, every driver, and every passenger safe in every work zone," said WVDOT spokesperson Randy Damron. "We each play a role in getting everyone home safe."
Surely responsible drivers understand that. But last year alone there were 800 crashes in West Virginia work zones, resulting in eight deaths.
Remaining alert in construction zones includes being aware of and sticking to the speed limit. It is not there to inconvenience drivers. It is in place to keep workers and drivers safer in those zones.
Leave early enough that work zones aren't a problem, don't drive distracted, and stay focused on making sure everyone makes it home safely.