YORK COUNTY, Pa. — Wednesday's fatal crash on Interstate 83 in York County marks the third consecutive day this week that at least one person died during an incident on the roads in our area.
This comes during National Work Zone Awareness Week, with transportation officials emphasizing preventing similar tragedies.
It’s the last thing Luke Lazar, the vice president of Risk and Safety for Flagger Force, wants his coworkers to think about when on the job.
"We wouldn't want them to become what we call ‘normalized’ to this type of risk," Lazar said.
The traffic control company operates all across Pennsylvania, and trains for possible scenarios for field preparedness and response.
"We provide many more hours and much more training than what the basic minimum requirements are," Lazar said. "We're doing that in part to minimize the risk."
And when the worst happens, agencies like Flagger Force have plans in place.
"We take away lessons learned through a meeting that we referred to as an event call and we put out the changes in policies or practices and procedures that we expect," Lazar says.
They also provide support for employees impacted directly or indirectly and offer mental health counseling.
While preparedness on their end can minimize risks, Lazar notes that road workers are still at the mercy of motorists.
"The work that we do is temporary and oftentimes it's done to improve the infrastructure and the conditions for them," he said. "Their decisions behind the wheel can be permanent."
Lazar says while flagger force was not involved in this incident, the company has had its share of close calls.
Like other transportation officials, he urges drivers to slow down, focus on the road, and obey traffic controls and professionals.