How Many Deaths Will It Take?

Working as a public employee on PENNDOT (Pennsylvania Department of Transportation) road projects is the most dangerous job in the state. Since 1970, when PENNDOT was created, 75 AFSCME members have been killed while at work on the highway system.

The union has consistently lobbied to strengthen protections for road workers. Figures from Council 13 indicate that 1,988 intrusions by motorists into Pennsylvania highway work zones resulted in 1,757 injuries and 23 deaths during the year 2000.

According to a state labor/management-committee analysis, drivers intrude into work zones for three primary reasons: driver inattentiveness; driver confusion; and intentional dis-regard of traffic instructions and the design of the work area.

To draw attention to these dangers, AFSCME and PENNDOT District 10 collaborated to set up a memorial — "75 Crosses" — outside the district offices here. Each cross represents one of the deceased workers, listing name and date of death.

The stark display drew attention from the media and the state legislature. For the first time, members of the House transportation committee are engaged in a bipartisan effort to tighten highway safety rules — and save lives.

— Susan Ellen Holleran