KFVS12 News & Weather Cape Girardeau, Carbondale, Poplar BluffAuthorities warn drivers to slow down near construction zones

Authorities warn drivers to slow down near construction zones

By Julia Bruck - email

FRANKLIN COUNTY, IL (KFVS) - Two wrecks near construction zones brought traffic on Interstate 57 in Franklin County to a standstill.  However, police say those wrecks did not have to happen.

If you drive through Franklin County on I-57, you could be faced with seven miles of construction and traffic.  It is in these areas that Illinois State Police say your chances of an accident greatly increase.

"Saturday afternoon on the construction side traffic was slowed down almost to West Frankfort," said Illinois State Police Safety officer David Sneed.  "That's not quite in the construction zone yet, but due to the construction it backed up traffic."

Sneed says it is in that traffic when a semi tractor-trailer hit an SUV.  The wreck shut down both directions of I-57 for more than two hours.

Less than 24 hours later, drivers faced more traffic delays.  Troopers say 24-year-old Karrie Duckwiler suddenly hit the brakes of the Chevy pick-up she was driving in the northbound lanes of I- 57.  Authorities say a semi then slammed into Duckwiler's pick-up.

"It was due to somebody following too closely.  They weren't able to react in time causing another vehicle not being able to react in time and then we've got a catastrophe on our hands," Sneed said.

Troopers sited Duckwiler with following too closely.  Sneed says in 2007, 21 people died in Illinois construction zones.  Nineteen of those people were drivers of passenger cars and two were construction workers.  Trooper Sneed says that is one too many losses and drivers need to pay attention.

"When you see those construction signs, red flags ought to go up," Snead added.

Sneed also says when it comes to a cell phone in a construction zone, put it down.  Instead, he says to focus on the orange cones and get ready to slow down.

To find out how you may be able to avoid summer construction headaches and delays, go to Getting Around Illinois website.

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