Woonsocket Radio News Room

 

RIDOT, SAFETY PARTNERS MARK WORK ZONE AWARENESS WEEK
 

The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) and its safety partners joined forces today to urge drivers to slow down and move over when approaching work zones and first responders to save lives. The week of April 15, 2024 is National Work Zone Awareness Week.

Director Peter Alviti was joined by State Police Colonel Darnell Weaver, East Providence Police Chief Christopher Francesconi, FHWA Regional Director Derek Torrey and officials from AAA Northeast, the Rhode Island Building and Construction Trades and the New England Laborers’ Health and Safety Fund to draw awareness to the issue.

Speaking at RIDOT’s East Providence Maintenance Facility, Director Alviti noted that RIDOT has 63 active projects this construction season in dozens of work zones throughout the state. Plus, RIDOT has 20 to 30 active maintenance work zones throughout the state every day. Statistics show that there are about 900 fatalities each year in active work zones and the bulk of these are among drivers who hit either barriers or equipment.

State and local police pointed out the importance, as well, of drivers slowing down and moving over when first responders are working on the side of the road. In 2008, Rhode Island passed the “move over” law which requires drivers to move over a lane when approaching a first responder. In 2014, the law was expanded to include construction and highway maintenance workers. If a driver is not able to move over, he or she must slow down to leave as much space as possible between their vehicle and those that are stopped.

“Every day, law enforcement officers, emergency responders and roadside workers put their lives at risk to see important construction projects through and uphold the safety of our communities. By slowing down and moving over, you are doing your part to protect roadside workers and ensure work zone safety on our highways,” said Colonel Weaver.

Chief Christopher Francesconi of the East Providence Police Department said, “In work zones, every cone, every barricade and every flashing light is there for a reason: to keep roadside workers, law enforcement officers and drivers safe. It only takes a split second of distraction to cause a tragedy. Today we are reminding all drivers to keep your attention on the road.”

All RIDOT work zones are set up with careful attention to safety and in coordination with national standards and best practices. Work zone inspections take place on a regular basis as well.
 
Prosecutors are calling more witnesses as former President Trump's criminal trial is back underway in New York City. Trump is charged with 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in order to hide hush money payments before the 2016 election. This morning, Judge Juan Merchan ruled Trump violated the gag order against him and fined him nine-thousand-dollars in total.        Columbia University students who occupied an academic building during pro-Palestinian protests are facing expulsion. School officials said today they will follow through with the "consequences" for protesters who "have chosen to escalate to an untenable situation." Columbia said the punishment is about responding to the actions of the protesters, not their cause. The protesters have been calling for the university to fully divest from Israel.       The nation's midsection is bracing for another round of severe weather today. Forecasters say heavy thunderstorms packing large hail and high winds are likely days after tornadoes ripped across parts of Iowa, Oklahoma and Nebraska just days ago. The same areas are under threat today and tomorrow, just as recovery efforts continue.        Today is the deadline for some student borrowers to get debt cancelled by consolidating their federal loans. The Department of Education is making this one-time payment adjustment. It's part of the Biden administration's effort to forgive nearly five-billion-dollars in student loans. Check for eligibility at StudentAid.gov.       Two more teams are looking to advance to the second round of the NBA Playoffs tonight. The New York Knicks will look to close out their series when they host the Philadelphia 76ers. Later, the Indiana Pacers will try to eliminate the Bucks on the road in Milwaukee. Meanwhile, the Cleveland Cavaliers will host the Orlando Magic in a pivotal Game Five with that series tied at two games apiece.        Jason Kelce is joining ESPN's pre-game show "Monday Night Countdown." Kelce, who announced his retirement in March after 13 years playing for the Philadelphia Eagles, received interest from multiple networks who wanted him to join their programs. No stranger to the media world, Kelce also co-hosts the popular podcast "New Heights" alongside his brother, Travis.       

Old News Archives