Remarkably, Nothing Seems To Slow Some Down In Work Zones

When we heard the news yesterday that a Missouri Department of Transportation worker was killed on Route O outside of Sedalia, I was both saddened and then overcome with frustration. How many times does this have to happen before some folks slow down in work zones? Or slow down when there's a police cruiser parked on the side of the road with its lights flashing? What will it take to keep our public servants and helpers safe when working on our streets and highways?

That MoDOT worker was Jay Bone. He was a Missouri Department of Transportation Kansas City Senior Maintenance Worker. His death on Route O comes three days after St. Louis Police Officer David Lee died while working a crash on Interstate 70. Both men were serving their communities at the time of their deaths. Both deaths didn't need to happen.

The circumstances of the crashes were different. Officer Lee was killed by a drunk who had no business driving anywhere, much less on Interstate 70. Senior Maintenance Worker Bone by an 18-year-old behind the wheel of a Peterbilt. The Missouri Highway Patrol is investigating the crash, so we don't yet know the facts behind the crash.

Yet, there are a couple of things I do know. Both men were serving their communities and doing their best to make our roads safer. In the case of Officer Lee, it's an obvious conclusion. Most officers who go into police work do so to help people.

In the case of Mr. Bone, it's a little less obvious. Yet, that's precisely the role MoDOT employees who work on our roads play. Whether they're patching potholes, installing safety features along our streets and highways to mitigate the consequences of crashes that any of us could be in, clearing the roads of snow and ice, picking up road debris, or mowing the medians, it's all about trying to give us the safest environment to drive in.

I also know neither should have died this week while doing their job.

Is it that hard when you see one of the Orange MoDOT trucks, emergency vehicles like police cruisers, fire trucks, ambulances with lights flashing ahead, or even a tow truck helping a disabled motorist to slow down some and pay attention so someone can go home to their family at the end of their shift?

If caring about others doesn't make you want to be careful and slow down, what about the law? What about, selfishly, yourself and your wallet?

According to MoDOT's Driver Responsibilities page, "Missouri’s Move Over law requires drivers to change lanes, if safe to do so, when approaching MoDOT vehicles, law enforcement vehicles, and any other emergency vehicle with lights flashing. If drivers can’t change lanes safely, they must slow down as they pass the emergency vehicles. "

If that's not enough, how about the penalties for hitting a worker? There's a $10,000 fine and a year-long loss of license. Not to mention stiff fines for moving violations and stiffer penalties for speeding or passing violations. I'd also expect that's in addition to all the costs of hiring representation to help defend your court case.

My heart is with the families of Mr. Bone and Officer Lee tonight—my condolences to both their families during this tragic time.

The next time you approach a construction zone or see a MoDOT truck, any emergency vehicle, or even a tow truck, think about the humans behind the vest or the uniform. Slow down. Help them go home tonight to be the husband, the wife, the uncle, the aunt, the big brother or sister, the best friend, the kind neighbor. That should be all we need to be more careful behind the wheel. Tonight and for many days to come, two families grieve that loss.