​In 2022, 891 people died in work zones, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) FARS data.

Also in 2022, 94 highway worker occupational fatalities occurred in road construction sites, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data.

Newer data and additional statistics will be available at a later date on WorkZoneSafety.org. ​

What many fail to recognize is the vast majority of people killed in work zone crashes are motorists and their passengers.

In 2022, 742 drivers and their passengers died in work zones (based on NHTSA FARS data), making it all the more important for drivers to slow down and stay focused while approaching and passing through a roadway work zone.

To help you ensure the safety of everyone on the road, the Ottawa County Road Commission offers the following general work zone driving safety tips:

Stay Alert: Keep your eyes on the road and remain attentive to changing conditions.

Reduce Speed: Follow posted speed limits and be prepared to slow down in work zones.

Eliminate Distractions: Avoid using electronic devices or engaging in activities that take your focus off the road.

Obey Signs and Flaggers: Follow directions provided by signage and construction workers to safely navigate through work zones.

Maintain a Safe Distance: Leave ample space between your vehicle and construction equipment or workers.

Expect the Unexpected: Be prepared for sudden stops, lane closures, or detours within work zones.

The Ottawa County Road Commission was recently named the recipient of a Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) Workplace Improvement to Safety and Health (MIWISH) Grant for FY 2025 in the amount of $5,000. 

The MIWISH Grant Program awards qualifying employers up to $5,000 to purchase safety and health-related equipment, and equipment-related training.

The goal of the program is to create a safer and healthier work environment and reduce the risk of injury and illness to workers in Michigan.

The OCRC will use the funds to help offset the costs of a project to revamp and modernize some of its aging personal protective equipment (PPE) supply.

PPE and other items to be purchased using the grant funding include:

• Chaps
• Class III rain gear
• Voltage Detectors
• Safety Harnesses & Lanyards
• Class III Safety Vests
• Safety Helmets

April is National Safe Digging Month, a time to promote safe digging practices and to be aware of underground utilities.

In Michigan, you can call MISS DIG 811 to get help with safe digging.

How to use MISS DIG 811

• Call 811 at least three business days before digging
• Provide details about your digging plans
• Wait for your ticket to be marked and the lines to be marked
• Confirm the marks
• Dig with care

Why call MISS DIG 811?

It's free, it's the law, it connects callers with their local One Call Center, it helps avoid excavation-related accidents, and it helps protect the public and underground utilities

You can also submit a request online at www.MISSDIG811.org

You should call 811 regardless of whether you are installing a few small shrubs or putting in some fence posts.

Road commission crews reshape or “pull” shoulders on paved and gravel roads throughout the county every spring before the grass begins to grow on the side of the road.

This maintenance helps restore the shoulder shape and function.

A typical problem that develops is that the gravel surface of the shoulder does not meet the paved edge of the roadway.

If the shoulder is too high, the road will not drain properly; if the shoulder is too low, a hazardous drop-off condition can result.

Reshaping a gravel shoulder is a routine maintenance activity performed by Road Commission staff using a motor grader. This maintenance is done to reclaim gravel that has been pushed into the shoulder as well as to remove the berm which keeps the water from flowing off the road.

A similar but larger process is done on gravel roads where gravel is displaced onto the shoulder from either rain washing it off the road or from vehicles kicking it up from normal driving. By pulling shoulders on gravel roads and reclaiming it back into the roadway surface, the Road Commission saves thousands of tons of gravel each year.

Throughout the year, maintenance crews check on both paved and gravel road shoulders and regrade them as necessary.

As the weather warms and road work ramps up, spring brings new driving challenges to our local roads. Here are a few reminders to help keep you and our road crews safe this season:

Watch for Slow-Moving Equipment: Our crews and contractors will be out grading gravel roads, patching potholes, and cleaning ditches. Be prepared to slow down and give them plenty of space to work.

Be Cautious on Shoulders: Spring thaw can soften road shoulders, especially near ditches or culverts. Avoid pulling off onto soft shoulders to prevent getting stuck or causing erosion.

Keep an Eye Out for Wildlife: With longer daylight hours and warmer temperatures, animals are more active—especially near wooded areas and open fields. Slow down and stay alert, particularly at dawn and dusk.

Expect More Non-Motorized Road Users: Warmer weather means more people walking, running, and biking along rural roads. Please give them plenty of space and reduce speed when passing.

Potholes & Road Hazards: Spring thaw often brings new potholes. If you see one that poses a hazard, let us know—your report helps us respond more efficiently.

Thanks for doing your part to drive with care this spring!