The Ohio Department of Transportation’s 2009 construction season begins this week and officials are using the occasion, combined with National Work Zone Safety Awareness Week, to remind motorists to use caution in construction zones.

In 2008, there were 5,197 crashes occurring in work zones along Ohio highways, causing 1,780 injuries and 15 deaths.

ODOT reminds drivers to obey reduced speed limits and pay attention for cones, signs, equipment, and highway workers in project zones.

ODOT also suggests checking www.buckeyetraffic.org to find out where construction is taking place.