All too often, fatal and serious car accidents are caused by aggressive drivers. Aggressive driving is dangerous, even in good conditions. However, when aggressive driving is combined with the restrictive driving conditions of a work zone, the results are often deadly.

Today marks the beginning of Work Zone Safety Week in Ohio. According to a recent study, there were more than 5,000 work-zone vehicle accidents in Ohio in 2010. These crashes caused more than 1,200 injuries and 10 fatalities.

As part of promoting awareness during Work Zone Safety Week, the Ohio Department of Transportation is warning drivers about aggressive driving tactics that often lead to accidents and injuries in Ohio work zone. The Ohio Department of Transportation notes that the top three causes of work-zone accidents are preventable. The top causes include following too closely, improper lane changes and failure to control one's vehicle.

In addition, state troopers are focusing on citing drivers who violate the law and who engage in aggressive driving. Recently, troopers have been focusing on speeding violations, tailgating and other aggressive driving tactics. Troopers have also placed special focus on trucks and commercial vehicles. Due to a several recent accidents, law enforcement authorities have placed a special emphasis on the I-75 corridor through Ohio.

In March, a 16-year-old girl was severely injured in an I-75 work zone when her car slid under the cab of a commercial truck. The truck had struck two cars before if jackknifed over the concrete center barrier and landed on top of the 16-year-old driver's vehicle.

Source: Dayton Daily News, "State focuses on work-zone safety," Kareem Elgazzar, 4/2/2011