How ODOT's month-long work zone safety campaign will impact Oklahoma drivers

To increase safety, the Oklahoma Department of Transportation will begin a campaign to raise driver awareness of workers in highway and turnpike construction zones.

ODOT says it has recorded 73 highway and turnpike employee deaths in roadway work zones since 1931.

Most of the deaths were caused by people speeding, following too closely, or driving distracted, but the most recent death of ODOT worker Jaden Jackson this past December has sparked the department to seek change.

RELATED: 26-Year-Old ODOT Employee, 80-Year-Old Man Killed In LeFlore County Crash

April will now have a month-long work zone awareness campaign, with ODOT saying the department plans to remind people to slow down on "Work Zone Wednesdays," where messages will remind drivers to slow down on highway and turnpike message boards.

Over the summer, more than 100 work zones will be active across the state, with many construction efforts ramping up on turnpikes.

ODOT leaders say the increased construction makes it even more important for drivers to be aware of their surroundings.

"There's hundreds of crashes [that] happen in our work zones every year," Oklahoma Department of Transportation Public Information Officer Bryce Boyer said. "We just want to make sure if we can get the word out and get drivers prepared so they can do their part by buckling up, putting up those distractions and paying attention to the work zone in front of you."

Boyer also said ODOT will feature several events for the rest of the month of April.

On April 11, ODOT will hold a moment of silence to honor fallen ODOT and OTA workers, and on April 15, ODOT says that Tuesday will be "Go Orange for Work Zone Safety Day."

Later in the month, ODOT says several Oklahoma landmarks will glow orange to show support for worker safety, including:

1. The Skydance Bridge
2. Myriad Botanical Gardens Crystal Bridge Conservatory
3. ONEOK Boat House and Williams Crossing Pedestrian Bridge in Tulsa

ODOT reports that spring and summer are their busiest times for construction, and the department does plan to start scheduling additional construction in the coming months.

Learn more about April's month-long safety campaign on ODOT's website.