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While West Virginians complain about the state of our roads, we also do a terrible job of being patient and following safety rules when we encounter all the orange barrels and Division of Highways workers and equipment that come along with tackling that enormous problem. We're even worse about giving DOH workers the space to do their jobs when they are not working on a long-term project.
Last week, a worker was struck on U.S. 50 eastbound in Clarksburg. He was working on cleanup at the site of a previous wreck there.
According to a report by WVNews, the worker remained in critical condition but was "making positive progress" Wednesday.
To be clear, the driver who first struck a roadway directional sign and then struck the DOH worker has since pleaded not guilty to felony driving under the influence with serious injury. But even without the potential added danger to DOH workers, there is still a great deal of risk in the job they do to make the roads better and safer for the rest of us.
Every driver should -- always -- be driving free of distraction, and never under the influence. Pay attention and keep your eyes on the road, particularly when approaching work zones. Slow down. While you're watching for lane closures, traffic pattern shifts and the humans and equipment that accompany that work, follow the posted speed limit.
Move safely into the open lane when directed. Don't be that driver -- the one who zooms to the front of the line and tries to quickly sneak in.
And keep your distance: from other vehicles; from barriers, barrels and cones; and from those doing the work or directing the traffic.
Remember, those doing their jobs for the rest of us deserve the right to do that work without added worry for their own safety.
It's a tough enough task without that.
Slow down, pay attention, and let them do their jobs and make it home.