In an effort to turn a negative situation into a positive, billboards aimed at warning drivers will be posted in four different locations around southwestern Pennsylvania. Sponsored by the Constructors Association of Western Pennsylvania, John Gulisek Construction Company and other industry supporters, the billboards, vibrant in orange and black, read ‘SAVE A LIFE, SLOW DOWN’ next to a picture of Jones, followed by the text ‘Kevin Jones- Killed June 13, 2007 in a work zone’. The inaugural billboard was posted on SR 22/30, close to where Jones was killed, with additional billboards appearing on SR 31, SR 119, and Boulevard of the Allies.

“Kevin always had a smile on his face and a kind word to say about everybody,” said Jack Gulisek, Vice President of the Constructors Association of Western Pennsylvania and President of John Gulisek Construction Company, for whom Jones was employed as a laborer with for over six years. “He was a very likeable guy, and he loved his job.”

Jones has become an unfortunate example of how hazardous the construction industry can be today. Over the last five years, the number of persons killed in work zones crashes has risen from 989 in 2001 to 1,074 in 2005, averaging around 1,068 fatalities a year. Pennsylvania alone incurred 32 fatalities in the year 2005.

In a perfect world, these billboards would awaken drivers to the danger they cause not only themselves, but also workers on the job. In reality, one can only hope the billboard will heed the importance of slowing down and paying attention in a work zone- simple in theory, yet difficult in practice.