(Columbus, OH) – National Work Zone Awareness Week kicks off this week, running from Monday, April 20, through Friday, April 24, and Columbia Gas of Ohio is reminding customers to drive safely and follow the rules of the road and directions of workers onsite every time they encounter road work crews.
This year’s theme is Safe Actions Save Lives. By staying alert and following directions in work zones, motorists can play their role in helping road work crews get home safely to their families at the end of the day.
“Throughout 2025 at Columbia Gas of Ohio, our team members experienced 33 work zone intrusions, and unfortunately, those intrusions resulted in two injuries. Every intrusion represents a serious threat to the lives of our workers,” said Columbia Gas of Ohio President & COO Bob Heidorn. “Work zones, especially those near public roads, can be dangerous, and every motorist must do their part to keep our workers safe.”
If you encounter work crews on the road, following these steps might just save a life:
- Expect the unexpected: Normal speed limits may be reduced, traffic lanes may change, and people may be working on or near the road.
- Slow down: Speeding is one of the major causes of work zone intrusions and crashes.
- Keep your distance: Keep a safe distance between you and the car ahead of you and avoid tailgating.
- Pay attention to signs: Observe all posted signs and pay attention to all temporary signage within the work zone.
- Obey road crews and flaggers: Flaggers have the same authority as a regulatory sign, so you can be cited for disobeying their directions. Help keep them safe by paying attention!
- Stay alert and minimize distractions: Give your full attention to the roadway. Set your navigation and adjust mirrors and windows before shifting into drive.
- Phones down – it’s the law: Remember, it’s illegal to hold or use a cell phone or electronic device in your hand, lap or other parts of the body while driving in Ohio.
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About Columbia Gas of Ohio
Columbia Gas of Ohio delivers clean, dependable and efficient natural gas to approximately 1.5 million customers across the state. With headquarters in Columbus, it is the largest natural gas utility in Ohio. Columbia Gas of Ohio is one of six regulated utility companies of NiSource (NYSE: NI), one of the largest fully-regulated utility companies in the United States. NiSource employees are focused on our mission to deliver safe, reliable energy that drives value to our customers, and guided by our vision to be an innovative and trusted energy partner. More information about Columbia Gas of Ohio and NiSource, including its goal of achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions from its operations by 2040, is available at www.ColumbiaGasOhio.com and www.NiSource.com.
