LANCASTER, PA – State transportation officials are renewing calls for caution in highway work zones after releasing video footage showing a vehicle slamming into a PennDOT attenuator truck — one of 19 such incidents reported across Pennsylvania this year.
The crash, which occurred in a Lancaster County work zone, caused significant damage but no injuries to PennDOT workers.
Officials said the video highlights the dangers faced daily by highway crews and the growing problem of distracted and speeding drivers in active work areas.
Key Points
- PennDOT reported 19 work zone attenuator crashes so far this year across Pennsylvania.
- A recent Lancaster County crash caused major damage but no injuries.
- Officials urge drivers to follow posted speed limits and stay alert in work zones.
PennDOT highlights risk to highway workers
PennDOT shared the footage publicly, emphasizing how quickly routine maintenance can turn dangerous when motorists ignore traffic laws. The department said some of this year’s crashes resulted in worker injuries and costly equipment repairs.
“This is what our teams occasionally face,” PennDOT stated in the release, adding that each crash puts workers’ lives at risk.
Local prosecutors echo safety message
The Lancaster County District Attorney’s Office also addressed the incident, calling the footage a “shocking reminder” of the hazards road crews endure. “Speeding or driving while distracted can lead to many crashes just like these,” the office said, commending the outcome in which no one was hurt.
Officials encouraged drivers to review PennDOT’s work zone safety guidelines at penndot.pa.gov/workzonesafety and to remember that slowing down and paying attention can save lives.