SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Department of Transportation is issuing a warning for Utahns: stay safe by staying out of construction zones.
According to UDOT, road construction is ramping up around the state and crews have seen a recent uptick in construction zone trespassing.
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"People walking, jogging, bringing their kids in. We’ve even seen, to some extremes, people playing on the equipment and you know it’s not a playground," said UDOT spokesman John Gleason.
Construction zones carry several types of dangers, including heavy equipment that can start moving with little or no warning.
"It’s dangerous equipment, heavy equipment, that moves a lot quicker than people anticipate," Gleason said.
Trespassing in a construction zone can result in serious injury, or worse.
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"This can be a very hazardous place. Heavy equipment, trucks that are really big and don’t look like they move fast, but they do. Trenches, uneven ground - a lot of safety concerns if you’re just moseying through here," Gleason said. “Stay safe by staying out of the work zone."
- If you live near a construction zone, don’t walk or ride bikes in the work zone.
- Don’t play on or near construction equipment.
- Obey all warning signs and never go beyond construction barriers.
Drivers are urged to slow down in construction zones, pay attention and watch for workers during the busy construction season.
"Slow down. We want everyone to get home safely. That’s the people that are traveling on our roads and our workers, as well. tTey all want to get home safely to their families,” Gleason said.
Click here for an overview of Utah's biggest road construction projects in 2021.
