With spring comes the season of road construction and orange cones in Ohio.

And, with that, comes danger for Ohio Department of Transportation workers and drivers in work zones.

According to ODOT Director Jerry Wray, there was a near-record level of road construction across Ohio last year and the second-lowest number of work zone crashes in a decade.

While that sounds good, there were still 19 people killed and 119 serious injuries in 4,891 crashes. And 152 ODOT crew members were hit.

Wray said that the vast majority of accidents were caused by drivers following the vehicle in front of their vehicle too closely.

Wray pointed out that drivers need to pay attention all the time, but especially in work zones, which have narrow lanes and changing traffic patterns.

Sometime this summer, drivers on U.S. 52 will be confronted with work on a new interchange on Solida Road at South Point. There will also be numerous other road projects around Lawrence County.

So, slow down, back off that car in front of you and pay attention. Because nothing slows down your travel time like an accident.