Accidents In The Work Zone

A news story out of St. Louis last year began…

"He was a loving father and loved his grandkids," Linda Heath never imagined Wednesday would mark the first time she referred to her husband of 31 years in the past tense.”

On April 26, 2006 Henry Heath was killed while directing traffic in a construction zone on Illinois Highway 162, east of St. Louis. He was struck by a trailer as a semi jackknifed trying to stop suddenly to avoid hitting pickup that had properly slowed for the work zone.

The National Work Zone Safety Information Clearinghouse reports that in 2004, three people died every day nationwide in work zone crashes. The Federal Highway Administration says over 40,000 people are injured yearly in work zone accidents. That’s 110 people injured daily.

What’s the problem? We’re in a hurry – we have schedules to keep. Or we’re in to multi-tasking, and as a result don’t pay attention. Or we’re just careless – what we want matters and we’re willing to take risks.

In a work zone, construction workers are very vulnerable and drivers can be careless. That’s why we’re reminded to “Give ‘em a Brake.”

We’re all vulnerable to being hurt when people are reckless.

Your life is a work zone. Not where highways of concrete, steel and asphalt are under construction, but where people are. Are you speeding through, impatiently tailgating people who are getting in the way of your schedule, frustrating goals, disrespecting you or your values?

Be careful. It’s time to slow down and back off.

“My dear brothers and sisters, be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Your anger can never make things right in God’s sight.” (James 1:19-20, NLT)