‘Orange Cones, No Phones’ Unveiled on I-95 Where Texting Remains ‘Vexing’ Problem

DALE CITY, Va. — What once worked in construction zones on the Capital Beltway is now in use on Intestate 95: Orange Cones, No Phones.

The program sponsored by the builders of new Express Lanes coming to the interstate highway is meant to call attention to distracted drivers who use their cell phones to text, email, or talk behind the wheel. With $1 billion in construction happening along 29-mile express lanes corridor from Va. 610 in North Stafford to Edsall Road in Alexandria, officials said drivers need to pay attention while on the roads.

“According to this report, distracted driving remains a significant problem and vexing problem in the D.C. metropolitan area, particularly in construction work zones. I probably don’t have to tell you that navigating work zones is extremely challenging and requires full time and attention, and anyone who drove the Express Lanes work zones on the Capital Beltway knows what we are talking about,” said AAA Mid-Atlantic spokesman Lon Anderson.

Express Lanes on the Beltway opened in November, and now the concept is being expanded to I-95. The report Anderson references is authored by AAA Mid Atlantic and Fluor-Transurban, the builders of the Express Lanes. It surveyed 943 drivers between Feb. 27 and March 7. It found:

— Nearly one in five drivers on I-95 text while behind the wheel

— 17% of respondents admit to reading texts while behind the wheel

— 11% admit to writing text messages while driving

— 24% of I-95 drivers surveyed say they talk on a cell phone without a hands-free device while driving

— 39% of those surveyed say they talk while using a hands-free device

— Three out of four drivers recalled using their phones while behind the wheel in the previous week

Virginia Transportation Secretary Sean Connaughton called attention to the safety of highway workers along the 95 Express Lanes corridor.

“In this work zone alone, almost 1,500 workers are out here pounding the work site. Every one of them is out there doing great work for the people of the commonwealth, making sure we get transportation improvements, helping make sure we help the quality of life and the economy of Virginia, at the same time they’re putting their lives in danger,” said Connaughton.

He cited a new texting while driving law set to take effect July 1 championed by Prince William County Delegate Richard Anderson that will make it a primary offense, and beef up fines for drivers caught by police texting behind the wheel.

Officials hope the Orange Cones, No Phones message is received by drivers as the busy summer construction season is ramping up. In the 95 Express Lanes corridor, drivers will see increased work on new flyover construction, barrier work, utility relocation, and sound wall installation that will cause delays.

The new Express Lanes, which will replace the current HOV lanes between Dumfries and the Pentagon, and see the construction of new lanes nine miles south of Dumfries to North Stafford, are expected to open in early 2015.