Oklahoma transportation officials launch safety campaign

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – State transportation officials are launching a public safety campaign to reduce the number of road workers killed and injured each year in Oklahoma work zones.

The Oklahoma Department of Transportation announced the campaign Monday, saying that in the last five years 84 people have been killed and 4,260 injured in work zones in Oklahoma.

ODOT Director Mike Patterson urged motorists to put away distractions and increase awareness when they see orange signs and cones along roadways.

The campaign will include digital highway messages, public service announcements, and the display of orange lights next month on the SkyDance Bridge in Oklahoma City and the Tulsa Performing Arts Center in recognition of ODOT workers killed at work.

A national memorial also will be displayed in Oklahoma next month.