With spring season here, it’s important to know that Hoosiers face an increased risk of injury and even death while on construction jobsites or performing projects at home.

Whether a project takes place in the yard or on the street, there are important steps residents should take to keep themselves and those around them safe. To be safe this season, Hoosiers should practice safe digging, pay attention in work zones, give construction workers space, and slow down and avoid distractions on the road.

“Safety should always be a priority and now is a great time to remind ourselves of the steps we can take to keep Indiana residents and employees safe,” said Governor Mike Pence.

Practice Safe Digging
The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission and the Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor remind Hoosiers to make a free call to Indiana 811 at least two full working days prior to a scheduled digging project. This will allow utility locators to visit the proposed excavation site and mark the approximate location of buried utility lines. Every six minutes, a buried utility line is damaged because someone decided to dig without first calling 811. This risky behavior can result in inconvenient outages, costly repairs, personal injury, and even death. Remember that time, erosion, and root structure growth can shift the locations of utility lines so a call to 811 before every project is important. If work is planned in a public right of way, contact the appropriate state or local agency to obtain a permit prior to starting the project.

Give Roadside Workers Space
Hardworking Hoosiers are on job sites throughout the state, working to build, repair, and replace infrastructure and architecture. Indiana law requires drivers to move over or slow down when encountering stopped utility, emergency or highway vehicles at work. Drivers should change lanes away from a vehicle with flashing lights, if they can do so safely. If not, motorists should reduce their speed 10 mph under the posted limit and proceed with caution. Drivers should not stop in the roadway unless directed, as this may cause a secondary incident. We all play an important part in helping our fellow Hoosiers get home from work safely. Make sure to Plan ahead and allow extra time when traveling through work zones.

Slow Down and Avoid Distractions
Work zones leave no room for distractions and require attentive, cautious driving habits. Do not use cell phones while driving, especially in a work zone. Several studies show drivers using a phone are four times more likely to be in a crash. Other distractions, anything other than driving, can be just as dangerous. Motorists face fines of up to $1,000 for speeding, up to $5,000 for driving recklessly or aggressively, and up to $10,000 and/or a prison sentence of up to eight years for injuring or killing a worker. These fines are used to fund additional Indiana State Police work zone patrols.

Both at home and away, Hoosiers should keep safety top of mind. Together, we can keep our homes, streets, and each other safe.