The Massachusetts Department of Transportation is urging lawmakers to allow blue warning lights on its vehicles to enhance safety in highway work zones, citing a sharp rise in crashes and fatalities.
Jonathan Gulliver, highway administrator, told legislators Tuesday that Massachusetts is facing a work zone safety “crisis,” with 659 crashes reported in the past year alone, according to a report from WWLP News. Of those, 80 involved injuries and four were fatal.
“Something as simple as the color of a light can save someone’s life,” Gulliver said, also claiming that blue lights would slow drivers and protect crews working on high-speed roadways. “
“Highway workers spend more time on the ground in high-speed situations than anybody else in Massachusetts, and we deserve that protection.” he said.
The legislation, filed by State Rep. Edward Phillips, would allow blue lights on all MassDOT-owned or contracted vehicles used for construction. Gulliver pointed to a pilot program showing reduced speeds in work zones where blue lights were deployed.
Despite support from transportation officials, the proposal faces opposition from the State Police Association of Massachusetts. Treasurer Brendan Murphy argued blue lights should remain exclusive to law enforcement to avoid confusion, recommending green lights instead.
“Green is just as effective,” Murphy said. “Other states use green successfully for work zones without risking misidentification.”
Gulliver, however, said urgent action is needed to protect workers amid a surge in infrastructure projects. “
The first thing any driver does when they see blue lights is check their speed,” he said. “That’s incredibly important when we’re talking work zones.”
Source: WWLP News, Pro.stateaffairs.com
