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Slow down for orange barrels

Summer means grilling, swimming, lazy days in the sun … and orange barrels.

Summer is road construction season in Michigan, and already numerous projects have popped up around Northeast Michigan.

Work zones can be dangerous places, according to the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning, which in 2022 reported:

• 4,393 work zone crashes,

• 13 fatal work zone crashes,

• 16 work zone fatalities,

• and 862 work zone injuries.

The highest number of work zone crashes occur when lanes are closed, the Office of Highway Safety Planning reports. The second and third-highest number of crashes occur when there is work on the shoulder/median and lane shifts/crossovers.

We know orange barrels and lane closures can be frustrating, slowing down your commute.

But it’s important to protect yourself and road workers, who’re only trying to make our travel safer and smoother.

Slow down in construction zones and give workers as wide a berth as you can.

Stay safe out there, Northeast Michigan.

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