Do you slow down when you see orange cones, flashing lights and a “utility work ahead” sign? During National Work Zone Awareness Week (April 14-20), Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) is urging drivers to be mindful of its crews working along roadways.

I&M line workers, meter technicians, forestry professionals, customer design technicians, customer service representatives and our contractors often work along major highways, state roads, county roads, neighborhood streets and alleyways. Our vehicles have reflective materials and flashing lights. I&M work zones are marked on roads with orange cones, orange signs and often times we partner with local traffic control companies.

“I&M employees work to ensure reliable and safe power is delivered to our customers day or night, rain or shine – which makes their jobs dangerous,” said Heather Kent, I&M’s director of Safety and Health. “Safety is our No. 1 focus at I&M, especially for our employees and the public.  Please slow down and avoid distractions when driving through work zones. We want everyone to make it to their destination safe and our employees to go home to their loved ones.”

Even with flashing lights, reflective materials, bright-colored clothing, flaggers and orange signs, work zones are incredibly dangerous. You can keep workers, yourself, your passengers and fellow drivers safe with these tips:

• Be alert when you approach a work zone.
• Pay attention to warning signs and directions from flaggers.
• Don’t speed or tailgate near a work zone.
• Avoid distractions like talking or texting on the phone, changing the radio station or eating while passing through a work zone.
• Keep your eyes on the road and not on what workers are doing.
• Don’t approach I&M employees in a work zone to ask about a power outage. Crews work with hazardous equipment and electric currents which would cause serious or fatal injuries.

I&M employees and contractors work as quickly and as safely as we can to reduce the impact on your commute and neighborhood. When you drive through a work zone, remember I&M crews are doing their job to help you and your community have safe and reliable power.

For electrical, power outage and storm safety tips, please visit www.IndianaMichiganPower.com/Weather.

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Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) is headquartered in Fort Wayne, and its approximately 2,000 employees serve more than 600,000 customers. More than 85% of its energy delivered in 2023 was emission-free.  I&M has at its availability various sources of generation including 2,278 MW of nuclear generation in Michigan, 450 MW of purchased wind generation from Indiana, more than 22 MW of hydro generation in both states and approximately 35 MW of large-scale solar generation in both states. The company’s generation portfolio also includes 1,497 MW of coal-fueled generation.

At American Electric Power, based in Columbus, Ohio, we understand that our customers and communities depend on safe, reliable and affordable power. Our nearly 17,000 employees operate and maintain more than 40,000 miles of transmission lines, the nation's largest electric transmission system, and more than 225,000 miles of distribution lines to deliver power to 5.6 million customers in 11 states. AEP also is one of the nation's largest electricity producers with nearly 29,000 megawatts of diverse generating capacity, including approximately 6,100 megawatts of renewable energy. AEP is investing $43 billion over the next five years to make the electric grid cleaner and more reliable. We are on track to reach an 80% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions from 2005 levels by 2030 and have a goal to achieve net zero by 2045. AEP is recognized consistently for its focus on sustainability, community engagement and inclusion. AEP's family of companies includes utilities AEP Ohio, AEP Texas, Appalachian Power (in Virginia and West Virginia), AEP Appalachian Power (in Tennessee), Indiana Michigan Power, Kentucky Power, Public Service Company of Oklahoma, and Southwestern Electric Power Company (in Arkansas, Louisiana, east Texas and the Texas Panhandle). AEP also owns AEP Energy, which provides innovative competitive energy solutions nationwide. For more information, visit aep.com.