Secretary of Transportation Nicole Majeski was joined by representatives of the Delaware State Police and AAA Mid-Atlantic on Monday at the 95/896 interchange project to call attention to the importance of safe driving in our work zones across the state.

National Work Zone Awareness Week is held each April at the traditional start of construction season, when the number of workers on our nation’s roadways increases. The theme of this year’s work zone awareness campaign is, “Become a hero toward zero, their lives depend on it.” The campaign features DelDOT workers who put their lives on the line daily as they work within active traffic maintaining Delaware roads.

“Sadly, we have had 22 fatalities over the past three years involving the traveling public in work zones and there have been close calls with employees that have resulted in injuries,” said DelDOT Secretary Nicole Majeski. “We would like everyone to join the Be DelAWARE campaign to help us increase safety for everyone on our roads.”

Major Jason Sapp of the Delaware State Police added, “The Delaware State Police is committed to focused presence and when necessary, enforcement in work zones throughout the State of Delaware. Work zones are inherently dangerous locations not only for those working in them but also for those motorists and passengers attempting to navigate them. Just a little bit of extra attention is really all that is needed to recognize you are entering a work zone so that you can decelerate and take the appropriate steps to maximize safety through responsible driving behaviors.”

Although highway workers are often among the victims of such crashes, it’s important for drivers to understand that four out of five victims of work zone crashes are drivers or their passengers. Generally, crashes occur when drivers speed through a work zone or do not pay attention to the changing road conditions and run into other vehicles, highway equipment or safety barriers, or drive off the roadway completely. In a typical five-day work week, an average of seven motorists and one worker are killed nationwide. The primary causes of work zone crashes are following too closely and inattentive driving.

The National Work Zone Awareness Week began in 1999, when the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA), and the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) signed a Memorandum of Agreement pledging to increase public awareness of work zone safety issues through a national media campaign. Since then, awareness has continued to grow, with state agencies and other organizations sponsoring high-visibility education and outreach initiatives.

Some simple tips for improving work zone safety include:
* When you see the “orange and black,” be extra cautious.
* Warning signs will let you know what to expect.
* Barrels or cones will delineate your path of travel.
* Flag persons will help direct you along the way.
* Avoid distractions.
* Don’t tailgate.
* Don’t change lanes.
* Reduce speed when approaching toll booths.
* Slow down and expect the unexpected.

For complete Delaware work zone statistics check out the Delaware Strategic Highway Safety Plan at: https://deldot.gov/Programs/DSHSP/index.shtml?dc=work_zone_safety

The United States Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration has also developed a Work Zone Safety webpage highlighting the statistics for the frequency and severity work zone crashes:
FHWA Work Zone Facts and Statistics – FHWA Office of Operations (dot.gov)

More than 2,300 pounds of trash and debris was cleaned up at Taber State Forest./DNREC photo.

Natural Resources Police, DelDOT, DDA and DOC Clean up State Forest

Four state agencies recently teamed up to clean up more than 2,300 pounds of trash and debris illegally dumped and strewn at Taber State Forest in western Kent County – Delaware Natural Resources Police (DNRP), Department of Agriculture, Department of Transportation (DelDOT) and Department of Corrections (DOC).

The cleanup came about after the DNRP Environmental Crimes Unit (ECU) was alerted to illegal dumping activity within the state forest and surrounding area. Items dumped along the roadway and at the entrance to the state forest parking area included furniture, tires, household trash, animal carcasses and other debris. The roadway was also heavily inundated with litter.

“Since 2019, when Governor Carney launched the Keep DE Litter Free initiative to help reduce litter in Delaware, the Environmental Crimes Unit and other Delaware Natural Resources Police units have done our part to thwart illegal dumping across the state,” said ECU Chief Daniel Wood. “So far this year, Delaware Natural Resources Police have handled 95 dumping complaints, resulting in 24 arrests. Anyone arrested for illegal disposal of solid waste, dumping, and littering can expect to pay heavy fines if convicted.”

Under Delaware Code, those found guilty of the illegal disposal of solid waste face a minimum fine of $500 for each charge, with a maximum of $1,500. Violators may also be ordered to pay restitution to the state for costs of cleaning up illegally dumped waste and ordered to perform community service by removing solid waste that was illegally disposed.

Anyone found guilty of littering in Delaware will be fined a minimum of $50 and sentenced to up to eight hours of community service for a first-time offense. A person found guilty of illegal dumping faces a minimum fine of $500 and not less than eight hours of community service. Those found guilty of illegal dumping or littering along a Delaware Byway, in a state-owned park, state forest or wildlife area, or in a national wildlife refuge or on land administered by the United States Department of Interior National Park Service in the state of Delaware, face an additional $500 penalty.

Delaware Natural Resources Police units encourage Delawareans to make use of the Delaware Solid Waste Authority’s Facility Finder map to find locations where they can properly dispose of their solid waste. Residents can dispose of household garbage for as little as $1 per bag at one of DSWA’s collection stations, while bulk items can be taken to transfer stations or landfills with a pay-by-weight system.

Delaware residents and visitors to the First State alike are encouraged to report illegal dumping by calling DNREC’s 24-hour complaint line at 800-662-8802 or by submitting a complaint through the DENRP Tip 411 app.

About DNREC
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities and educates Delawareans about the environment. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter) or LinkedIn.

Media Contacts: Joanna Wilson, joanna.wilson@delaware.gov; Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov

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The Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is excited to announce the DMV on the Go trailer will kick off its third season on Monday, April 1, 2024.

This season’s schedule will differ slightly from last year. Instead of appearing in Wilmington on Tuesdays, the trailer will head south to the CHEER Center in Milton. The Georgetown DMV is becoming our busiest DMV location in the state and having the DMV on the Go in three Sussex locations will help us better serve our customers.

“Mobility is one of the DMV on the Go’s greatest assets,” shared Delaware Department of Transportation Secretary Nicole Majeski. “It allows us to adjust our location based on usage and performance ensuring we are serving our customers to the best of our abilities,” continued Majeski.

“The DMV on the Go’s popularity, especially in Sussex County continues to grow,” said Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles Director Amy Anthony. “Customers really appreciate its accessibility, reduced wait times, and the multitude of services we can offer from a 45’ trailer. The feedback from our first two seasons has been overwhelmingly positive and we can’t wait to kick off our third,” assured Anthony.

The DMV on the Go trailer, featuring four fully functional workstations, made its debut in April of 2021. It’s ADA- accessible. It comes complete with an awning for bad weather and a wheelchair lift, and it performs all transactions as a traditional DMV except for inspections and road exams. Customers in need of uninsured motorist or in-person driver improvement assistance still need to visit the Wilmington, Delaware City, Dover, or Georgetown DMV location.

Last year, the DMV on the Go trailer assisted over 1,600 customers by allowing them to renew their registrations, driver licenses, complete title work, and more right in their neighborhood.

DMV on the Go locations April 1 through October 31, 2024:

Mondays from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
DART’s Lewes Transit Center
17616 Coastal Highway
Lewes, DE 19958

Tuesdays from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Milton CHEER Center
24855 Broadkill Road
Milton, DE 19968

Thursdays from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Big Lots Plaza
820 Norman Eskridge Highway
Seaford, DE 19973

For the full DMV on the Go schedule CLICK HERE or visit dmv.de.gov . To access other DMV services, customers can complete more than 20 transactions online at mydmv.delaware.gov/ including Delaware driver license, identification, and vehicle registration renewals, duplicates, and address changes.

The Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) and its partners collected 91,810 bags of trash in 2023 in the ongoing effort to Keep DE Litter Free. The work was performed by DelDOT Maintenance & Operations employees, DART, Adopt-A-Highway/Sponsor-A-Highway efforts, the Work A Day Earn A Pay Program, and with help from the Delaware Department of the Corrections’ (DOC) inmate work program.

The Department and its partners also collected nearly 5,000 tires, and 68 appliances from alongside Delaware roads.

“Keeping trash off our roads not only improves the appearance of our state, it keeps it out of our waterways, contributing to a cleaner and healthier environment for all of us,” said Governor John Carney.

“While our total litter collection increased by nearly 25 percent last year thanks to the efforts of employees and volunteers, it remains an ongoing problem,” said Secretary of Transportation Nicole Majeski. “There is no quick and easy way to collect trash, but there is an easy way to prevent it, by choosing not to throw trash out of vehicles.”

To learn how you can join the efforts to help Keep DE Litter Free visit governor.delaware.gov. Businesses and organizations interested in adopting or sponsoring a highway through DelDOT’s Adopt-A-Highway or Sponsor-A-Highway programs can apply now at DelDOT.gov.

Heavier snow to cause poor visibility this afternoon with roads expected to freeze tonight

SMYRNA, Del. — The Delaware Department of Transportation and Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA)  are issuing a travel advisory for this afternoon and evening due to poor visibility from heavier snowfall and freezing on road surfaces tonight as temperatures drop. The advisory is not an official Level 1 Driving Warning, but is meant to caution motorists of adverse weather conditions and to stay off roads if possible. If driving is necessary, motorists are urged to use caution and common sense.

“DelDOT crews have been working throughout the storm to clear and treat roads across the state, however, falling temperatures and continued snowfall will cause roads and bridges to be icy as the day progresses,” said Secretary of Transportation Nicole Majeski. “Please slow down and adapt your driving to the conditions if you must be out.”

The National Weather Service is forecasting snowfall rates that cause reduced visibility for motorists and temperatures to drop below freezing tonight. This will create hazardous driving condition across the area. DelDOT crews are working to clear the roadways, but many secondary routes will remain slippery and snow-covered.

Winter Driving and Safety Tips:

1. Make sure that your windshield is completely clear of snow and ice and that you also clear snow off the top of your vehicle and the bed of your pickup trucks.
2. Once on the road, take it slowly. Travel at or below the posted speed limit.
3. Leave plenty of space between you and the car in front of you. If you’re too close, there will not be enough time to react if that person loses control of his vehicle.
4. Turn on headlights so other drivers can see you. It’s Delaware law to use headlights in conditions of poor visibility. Low beams provide better visibility than using high beams.
5. Apply brakes carefully, especially on hills and exit/entrance ramps. Allow for more stopping distance.
6. Bridges and overpasses freeze faster than other road surfaces. There might be ice you cannot see.
7. Pay extra attention when approaching intersections. Watch for cars that don’t have the right of way. Even though you are taking precautions, you need reaction time in case other drivers go through a stop sign or stop light.
8. Wear your seatbelt. If you are involved in a wreck your seatbelt will help you keep control of the vehicle and improve your chances of escaping serious injury or death by nearly 50%.
9. If your vehicle starts to skid, don’t panic. Don’t hit the brakes hard. If your car has anti-lock brakes (ABS), apply steady pressure to the brakes, shift the car or truck into neutral and steer in the direction you want your car to go until the skid is over. If you don’t have ABS, apply pressure to the brakes, just short of locking them up, release the pressure, and then re-apply at a lower level.

   

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Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) is the lead state agency for coordination of comprehensive emergency preparedness, training, response, recovery, and mitigation services to save lives, protect Delaware’s economic base and reduce the impact of emergencies. DEMA is a division within the Department of Safety and Homeland Security (DSHS) and authorized by Delaware Code, Title 20,Chapter 31 §3101-3130.

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