UTICA, N.Y. (WKTV) - If you've been along the Thruway or any road around the area lately, you've probably noticed work zones sprouting up. Now, D.O.T. officials and State Police want to make sure you keep your speed down.

The New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) is marking National Work Zone Awareness Week this year by raising awareness through eleven press events across the state, beginning with the Federal Highway Administration’s national launch of the commemorative week on Monday, April 19th in Battery Park, New York City. Governor David A. Paterson has declared the week of April 19th though April 23rd as Work Zone Awareness Week in the Empire State to coincide with the National Work Zone Awareness Week. The statewide events will highlight the importance of driving safely and staying alert in highway construction and maintenance work zones.

“As we begin this year’s highway construction and maintenance season, Governor Paterson and I are urging motorists to slow down and drive cautiously through highway work zones to protect the safety of their passengers, other travelers and highway workers,” State Department of Transportation Acting Commissioner Stanley Gee said. “Motorist cooperation is essential to reducing vehicle-related accidents and fatalities in work zones. Together with law enforcement, we’re working hard to ensure that everyone returns home to their families safely at the end of the day.”

Transportation officials joined this morning in New York City with police, elected officials, construction contractors and the families of highway workers killed in work zones to draw attention to work zone safety, kicking off a national publicity effort. The event was hosted by NYSDOT and the New York City Department of Transportation.

"As the Authority makes needed improvements to the more than 50-year-old Thruway, there will be numerous active work zones along the entire length of the 570-mile highway this construction season," said Thruway Authority Executive Director Michael R. Fleischer. "Work zone environments include motor vehicles traveling at high speeds, just inches from where people are working. All motorists are encouraged to slow down, remain alert and travel with caution through any work zone they may encounter."

New York State Police Superintendent Colonel John P. Melville said, “The New York State Police is committed to improving highway safety through increased presence and strict enforcement of any observed violations. As the construction season begins, we remind motorists to obey posted speed limits, stay in designated lanes, and be attentive of workers and equipment in highway work zones. The safety and welfare of construction staff and highway workers is vital as they continue to improve our state’s roadways.”

National Work Zone Awareness Week is designated by the FHWA to raise driver awareness and reduce the number of vehicle intrusions into work zones, incidents that can cause injuries and fatalities. Nationally, according to the most recent data available from the FHWA, there were720 fatalities in work zones in 2008, down from 831 in 2007.

Last year, NYSDOT construction and maintenance work zones saw 511 traffic crashes, including 12 fatalities and 173 injury accidents.

NYSDOT employee Gary Farrell was among those who died because of a work zone intrusion last year. On November 2nd he was struck by a pickup truck as he flagged traffic, protecting his colleagues who were performing maintenance work on State Route 28 in the Town of Forestport, Oneida County.

In 2008, NYSDOT highway maintenance supervisor Kevin Forsyth was killed on July 23rd when he was struck by a vehicle that entered the closed shoulder of a work zone on State Route 182 in the town of Niagara, Niagara County.

NYSDOT recommends that motorists observe the following ten safety tips critical for safe driving in highway construction work zones:

1. Expect the unexpected in any work zone along any road, major or minor. Normal speed limits may be reduced, traffic lanes may be changed, and people and vehicles may be working on or near the road.
2. Diamond-shaped orange warning signs are posted in advance of road construction projects. Slow down! Be alert! Pay attention to the signs!
3. In addition to other warning signs, a "flagger ahead" warning sign may be posted in the work-zone. When you see this, stay alert and be prepared to obey the flagger's directions. In a work-zone, a flagger has the same authority as a regulatory sign, so you can be cited for disobeying his or her directions.
4. Stay calm. Work-zones aren't there to inconvenience you; They are necessary to improve the roads for everyone.
5. You may see flashing arrow panels or "lane closed ahead" signs. Merge as soon as possible. Don't zoom right up to the lane closure, then try to barge in; If everyone cooperates, traffic moves more efficiently. Motorists can help maintain traffic flow and posted speeds by moving to the appropriate lane at first notice of an approaching work zone.
6. Slow down when the signs say to. A car traveling 60 miles per hour travels 88 feet per second. If you are going 60 mph and you pass a sign that states "Road Work 1500 feet," you will be in that work zone in 17 seconds.
7. The most common crash in a highway work zone is the rear-end collision, so remember to leave two-seconds of braking distance between you and the car in front of you. The amount of space required to provide two seconds of stopping time will increase the faster you're driving.
8. Keep a safe distance between your vehicle and traffic barriers, trucks, construction equipment and workers. Just like you, highway workers want to return home safely after each day's work.
9. Some work zones -- such as for line painting, road patching, and mowing -- are mobile, moving down the road as work is finished. Just because you do not see the workers immediately after you see the warning signs, does not mean they are not out there. Observe posted work zone signs until you see the one that states you've left the work zone.
10. Highway agencies use different ways to inform motorists about the location and duration of major work zones. Often, they will suggest a detour to help you avoid the work zone entirely. Plan ahead and try an alternate route.