Woodward, Okla. — Some of the deadliest wrecks in Oklahoma have occurred in work zones.

That includes a wreck in Oct. 2007 that killed 4 people after a semi plowed into a line of cars that were stopped in a construction zone along Highway 270 between Woodward and Seiling.

Another life was claimed in a construction zone along the same stretch of highway when a woman fell asleep at the wheel, hitting and killing a contract worker, said Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper Steve Nightengale.

Since the Oklahoma Department of Transportation has been operation, the trooper said, "they've lost 54 Department of Transportation workers in construction zones."

"(And) in 2009, 17 people were killed and 767 were injured in 1,278 collisions within work zones in Oklahoma," Nightengale said.  "That's the highest number of injuries, the third highest number of deaths and the greatest number of collisions than in previous years."

That is why the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office, to which Nightengale is assigned, is promoting work zone safety awareness week April 4-8.

"The majority of those collisions are caused by inattentive driving, following too closely and speeding in construction zones," the trooper said.

OHP and the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office recommend the following safety tips when traveling through construction and work zones on state roadways:

• pay close attention to signs and work zone flaggers;

• turn on headlights so workers and other motorists can see you;

• don't tailgate;

• don't change lanes;

• keep up with the traffic flow;

• expect the unexpected;

• keep an eye out for workers and equipment;

• plan ahead and expect delays.

Other important safety tips include staying alert, Nightengale said, noting drivers should "dedicate your full attention to the roadway and set aside distractions, (i.e.) avoid using mobile phones or changing the radio station while in the work zone."

Another one of the most important safety rules when it comes to construction zone safety is "don't speed and pay attention to posted limits," he said.

"The question that people come up to me with all the time is, 'I see the speed limit is 45, but if there are no workers present do I still have to drive 45?'" Nightengale said, noting his answer is always, "Yes."

Although you might not get a double fine if workers are not present, you're still running the risk of getting a ticket.

"Be aware that we troopers are working the construction zones and taking note of your speed," Nightengale said.

But more than getting a ticket, he said going over the posted speed limit could increase your risk for getting into a serious accident.

"With a lot of the work, they're changing the landscape and contour of the road," the trooper said.  "For example, southeast of Woodward where they're enlarging the 4 lanes, they're also changing the shoulders of the road.  In addition there may be equipment on the side of the road, and that equipment and the shoulders, that doesn't change when the workers leave."

"At 55 mph, you're traveling around 80 feet per second," Nightengale said.  "If I look down at my cell phone for one second and then look back up, that means I've gone 80 feet without looking at the road.  If I drift over out of my lane and there's a piece of equipment or a worker there, that can make it real easy for a serious accident to happen."

When it comes to traveling through work zones, drivers need to remember to "be patient; work zones are not there to inconvenience you, the workers are there to improve the road and make your future drive better," the trooper said.