We were in the studio with Ken Slack, VDOT Staunton District Communications Specialist & Ed Carter, VDOT Edinburg Residency Administrator to talk about Work Zone Awareness Week that kicks off nationally on Monday, April 8, 2019. We talked about the importance of staying alert when driving through work zones, learned about some statistics for accidents and fatalities over the course of the last year, and got some "do's and don'ts" in work zones. Work Zone Facts

• Four out of five persons who die in work zone crashes are motorists (drivers and passengers), not highway workers.
• The odds are not in your favor. On average, a human being weighs between 150-200 pounds; a 4-door sedan weighs about 3,500 pounds, while an empty dump truck weighs 25,000 pounds. A loaded dump truck can weigh more than twice that.
• In Virginia, enhanced penalties for speeding in work zones can mean fines of up to $500. (Code of Virginia §46.2-878.1)
• Rear-end collisions (running into the rear of a slowing or stopping vehicle) are the most common kind of work zone crashes.
• Highway workers often have nothing more than a 12-pound cone separating them from traffic.

By the Numbers – Statewide During 2018, Virginia experienced 2,523 crashes in highway work zones, resulting in 1,256 injuries and 9 fatalities. We had the following reductions in work zone crashes, injuries and fatalities this past year:

• A 5.4% reduction in crashes (2,523 crashes compared to 2,665 in 2017)
• A 5.35% reduction in injuries (1,256 injuries compared to 1,327 in 2017)
• A 18.2% decrease in fatalities (9 fatalities compared to 11 in 2017)

Know Before You Go A little research goes a long way in knowing what to expect on the highway. It's easy to find work zone locations – before you head out the door – by checking:

• 511 Virginia website
• Road Construction Ahead map

We were in the studio for The Valley Business Today with Niki Cales, President of the Front Royal/Warren County Chamber of Commerce to talk about upcoming events. Niki gave us an update for the 33rd Annual Wine & Craft Festival happening on Saturday, may 16, 2019 from 10am - 6pm in downtown Front Royal. We talked about the Virginia wineries the festival features, how to get tickets, and got some behind the scenes info about how the festival is organized. You can get more information about the festival on their website: http://www.wineandcraftfestival.com/ and follow them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vawineandcraft/ We also talked about upcoming marketing and social media workshops that a recent member survey showed were needed by local business owners; the head shot event happening on April 9 & 11, 2019; and, the chamber's Job Fair happening on Tuesday, April 16, 2019 from Noon – 3 p.m. at Samuels Public Library. For more information about any of these events, visit their website: http://frontroyalchamber.com/ or click any of the links above.