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PennDOT Raises Work Zone Awareness

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- PennDOT is marking National Work Zone Awareness Week by debuting some new safety equipment.

Since 1970, 83 PennDOT workers have been killed on the job, and there have been at least 15 fatalities in District 11 construction zones in the past few years.

PennDOT is now making a renewed effort to keep both workers and drivers safe while out on the roadways.

Highway officials debuted three new pieces of safety equipment on Friday including: improved flagger paddles, portable rumble strips and LED PowerFlares.

The tools will be used in a variety of different work zones, from short-term maintenance work to long-term nighttime construction projects.

Police are also reminding drivers about the laws in a construction zone.

Motorists caught driving 11 miles per hour or more in an active work zone's speed limit, or who are involved in a crash and are convicted for failing to drive at a safe speed will automatically lose their license for 15 days.

PennDOT also reminds motorists to avoid all distractions when entering a work zone.

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