Every Week Is Work Zone Safety Week!Slow Down. Pay Attention. Stay Safe.
Every April we pay special attention to work zone safety during Work Zone Safety Awareness Week. It is imperative that we work harder to make work zone safety a priority. In fact, it must be a priority every time we get into our vehicles.
Both motorists and workers are at risk. For every person killed or injured in a work zone accident - and there are more than 1,100 killed and 40,000 injured nationwide each year - there is a mother, father, sister, brother, daughter, son or friend whose life also changes in an instant, and forever.
Now, when states throughout the U.S., including Delaware, are in the midst of revitalizing the nation's roads, ramps and bridges, everyone needs to exercise patience and follow work zone safety rules.
Both motorists and workers are at risk. For every person killed or injured in a work zone accident - and there are more than 1,100 killed and 40,000 injured nationwide each year - there is a mother, father, sister, brother, daughter, son or friend whose life also changes in an instant, and forever.
Now, when states throughout the U.S., including Delaware, are in the midst of revitalizing the nation's roads, ramps and bridges, everyone needs to exercise patience and follow work zone safety rules.
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When Deborah Nelson of Smyrna said goodbye to her husband Phillip Nelson, Jr. on Father's Day June 18, 2006, she had no idea it would be for the last time.
On that day, Phillip - a Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) North District employee - volunteered for duty to patrol state roads to help disabled or stranded motorists. Phillip was called out to assist a motorist on Summit Bridge Road near Boyds Corner, as was DelDOT employee Matthew Gardner, arriving on the scene in his own truck.
The two men parked their vehicles on the shoulder and got out. A vehicle drifted off the road and struck Phillip, killing him instantly, then hit Matthew, breaking 13 bones, puncturing a lung, fracturing facial bones and breaking teeth.
The Nelson's Story Matt's Story
"It happened so fast. I never saw any of it. Next thing I remember, I was in the hospital and I never saw Phil again," said Matthew, now 26. He was hospitalized for almost three weeks and spent another four weeks in physical rehabilitation. Phillip is buried in Glenwood Cemetery in Smyrna.
Matthew went back to work for DelDOT as soon as he could - and he still works within roadway work zones - although he has physical limitations and lives with metal rods in his right leg and left shin and a metal plate in his right knee.
"I love being out there," Matthew said. "You have to have a healthy fear working on the road, but if people would just move over, and slow down. We've got families and friends to get home to."
Deborah Nelson and her two sons, Phil III, 19, and Matt, 17, remain a close-knit family, but the void left by their husband and father's death cannot be filled.
"Whenever I drive past a work zone, I fear for those workers' lives," said Deborah. "I see too many motorists not paying attention, and it's so upsetting. People are so intent on getting where they are going, they just don't understand how dangerous it is for workers on the roadways."
Said Phil III, "I just miss having my dad here. Remember that when you drive in a work zone."
On that day, Phillip - a Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) North District employee - volunteered for duty to patrol state roads to help disabled or stranded motorists. Phillip was called out to assist a motorist on Summit Bridge Road near Boyds Corner, as was DelDOT employee Matthew Gardner, arriving on the scene in his own truck.
The two men parked their vehicles on the shoulder and got out. A vehicle drifted off the road and struck Phillip, killing him instantly, then hit Matthew, breaking 13 bones, puncturing a lung, fracturing facial bones and breaking teeth.
The Nelson's Story Matt's Story
"It happened so fast. I never saw any of it. Next thing I remember, I was in the hospital and I never saw Phil again," said Matthew, now 26. He was hospitalized for almost three weeks and spent another four weeks in physical rehabilitation. Phillip is buried in Glenwood Cemetery in Smyrna.
Matthew went back to work for DelDOT as soon as he could - and he still works within roadway work zones - although he has physical limitations and lives with metal rods in his right leg and left shin and a metal plate in his right knee.
"I love being out there," Matthew said. "You have to have a healthy fear working on the road, but if people would just move over, and slow down. We've got families and friends to get home to."
Deborah Nelson and her two sons, Phil III, 19, and Matt, 17, remain a close-knit family, but the void left by their husband and father's death cannot be filled.
"Whenever I drive past a work zone, I fear for those workers' lives," said Deborah. "I see too many motorists not paying attention, and it's so upsetting. People are so intent on getting where they are going, they just don't understand how dangerous it is for workers on the roadways."
Said Phil III, "I just miss having my dad here. Remember that when you drive in a work zone."
