It's a huge selling point for many who live in Perry Hall—Interstate 95 is just a short drive away.

But while highways offer a speedy and convenient route to work for many drivers, they can also present a dangerous environment for road workers.

On Monday, April 4, state and federal officials hosted an event near the future site of the Intercounty Connector’s I-95 interchange to promote highway work zone safety.

In addition to publicizing safety measures, officials warned drivers of increased law enforcement in work zones.

Work zone crashes are hazardous for workers and drivers alike. Over the past 10 years, work zone crashes in Maryland averaged more than 2,600 each year, injuring more than 1,400 and killing 12 people. Nationally, more than 700 people are killed each year in work zone crashes—the majority are drivers, according to a State Highway Administration press release.

Conditions are improving, said Federal Administrator Victor Mendez.

“Despite increases in traffic and in highway construction and repair work in each state, roadway safety is increasing and work zone fatalities are falling,” Mendez said. “Clearly, progress is being made but we need drivers to pay attention to road workers, and to each other, if we are to make highways even safer.”

Officials warned that an increased number of law enforcement officers will patrol work zones between Monday and this upcoming Friday, in honor of National Work Zone Awareness Week. 

"Additionally the State Highway Administration will run an educational and safety marketing campaign to urge people to drive more safely in work zones,” said SHA Administrator Neil J. Pedersen.

The state will also continue to use the SafeZones speed cameras program to fine drivers exceeding the speed limit by 12 or more miles in work zones along controlled access roadways with a 45 mph or more speed limit, according to the release.

Fifteen months since the SafeZones program began, 472,864 citations have been issued, officials said, adding that the program has resulted in safer road conditions.