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Three construction workers were killed while working on Interstate 83 in York County last week. The victims were sealing cracks in the highway in the early morning hours last Wednesday when a box truck collided with a construction vehicle and veered into the workers.It brought attention to just how potentially dangerous construction zones can be for those working and motorists driving in them.

Nationally, there were 891 fatalities and almost 38,000 injured in work zones in 2022. Since 2010, work zone deaths have increased 52 percent.

Why are those tragic numbers going up and what can be done to make work zones safer for both workers and motorists?

Joining us on the program Tuesday were PennDot District 8 Traffic Engineer Chris Flad and Fritzi Schreffler, Safety Press Officer with District 8 Penndot.

Flad was asked why crashes in work zones are increasing,"I think a lot of it has to do with more aggressive driving behaviors that are occurring in society lately and in general. I mean, we all seem to feel like, we need to get somewhere very quickly. Maybe it's a little bit of entitlement, but that sort of leads to aggressive driving behavior. Speeding. Cell phone use, not paying attention. And it doesn't take much to sway outside your lane in a blink of an eye which could change lives for the worse."

Flad talked about what it feels like when traffic is driving by you,"When you're a novice you notice it more often. So you will be spooked by traffic. You'll be more cognizant of well, now trucks are going by, the noises. It's a lot of sensory overload in some cases. Because you have a job to do out there, and yet you have traffic within an arm's shot of you. And, as time progresses, you do get a little more comfortable working around. It doesn't make it any more dangerous. But some of that does go away. But, when you do stop and think and when you look at motorists driving alongside the work zone that you're working in, and you see some of the behaviors, that a lot of them might not even be looking at the windshield because they're looking down at their phones or, and things like that, changing their radio stations. It's a little scary. And you think why are they not caring enough? I am out here. I'm trying to better the world through keeping up our infrastructure. Try and do my job. I know they have their jobs to do. Please respect my job. And please allow me the safety to do what I need to do."

According to federal highway safety officials, the most common mistakes made in work zones include speeding, following too closely, failure to yield the right-of-way, improper or unsafe lane movements, and driver inattention.

Drivers cite poor visibility in work zones, altered traffic patterns, uneven surfaces, sudden stops and poorly marked hazards in work zones for many of the crashes.

Schleffer pointed to what PennDot does to make work zones safer,"We do a lot of advance notice that we're going to be out there, even if it's an emergency repair that we have to do. We get information out to the media and to the public as soon as we possibly can. So there's signs, there's a lot of lights that are out there. Sometimes people say, well, how can you have all these trucks out there and they're only working in one spot? Well, per federal standards, there are and state standards, certain amounts of protection. So you have something called an attenuator truck. When you see the chevron on the back of that is there to protect the work zones and protect the workers in the work zone. Because that can take a hit and it can take the force of the hit provided somebody doesn't bounce off of them and into the workers. But, we follow standard operating procedures and try and have the right number of vehicles out there so that somebody isn't just going along in their lane and not paying attention. But unfortunately, it still happens."

 

 

 
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April marks Autism Acceptance Month, shedding light on the experiences of autistic individuals, particularly adults, with an estimated 7 million in the US who may be unaware of their diagnosis. Dr. Thomas Pineo, Medical Director at UPMC Community Osteopathic, joined The Spark to share his journey as part of the "lost generation" of autistic adults, emphasizing the transformative impact of his diagnosis on his personal and professional life.

Dr. Pineo's recent paper on caring for autistic adults in the inpatient setting underscores the importance of advocating for marginalized groups, drawing from his leadership in healthcare. As an autistic physician, he highlights the need for acceptance and accommodation, stressing that simple gestures can significantly benefit autistic individuals. During this month of April, Autism acceptance encompasses various aspects from addressing sensory concerns to providing predictable routines and workplace accommodations. Understanding the significance of repetitive behaviors as coping mechanisms is crucial, along with recognizing communication differences and implementing strategies to bridge gaps.

In healthcare, Dr. Pineo raises concerns about the unmet needs of autistic individuals, leading to health disparities and a shorter life expectancy compared to non-autistic peers. He advocates for sensory accommodations and clear communication to ensure equitable healthcare access and outcomes. Efforts to support autistic individuals extend beyond awareness to actionable steps, such as offering sensory aids, creating conducive environments, and fostering understanding in healthcare settings. And, by embracing acceptance and making meaningful accommodations, society can enhance the well-being and inclusivity of autistic individuals.
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April 22nd is Earth Day – 54 years since the first Earth Day that is credited with starting the environmentally movement and led to changes to protect the environment.

However, Earth Day today is different. Climate change will be the focus of most of the Earth Day activities around the world. There will be talk about the changes in temperature, water levels, extreme weather and the dangers they pose physically to the planet. But how will climate change affect our brains and behaviors?

A new book – The Weight of Nature: How a Changing Climate Changes Our Brains describes a profound and what could be depicted as a frightening future of neurological diseases, developmental disorders and increased anger and maybe even violence.

The book was written by Clayton Page Aldern, a neuroscientist turned journalist , who was with us on The Spark Monday.

Aldern explained how a changing claimate could impact our brains," There are cellular effects, those that are taking place at the level of the individual neuron, the individual brain cell. There are those that manifest at the level of the whole organism or at the individual, what's happening to us and our cognition and our behavior. And and then there are the effects that manifest again neurologically, but in the manner in which we treat one another right, in the interactions between people, the effects that manifest at the level of culture and socializing and and so, just to zoom the lens in a teeny bit very quickly at that cellular level, we're really talking about brain disease. We're talking about neurodegeneration and zoological diseases. This is the kind of stuff like bats, ticks, mosquitoes, all of these disease vectors that are responsible for brain diseases like yellow fever and cerebral malaria -- they're increasing their habitable ranges as a function of climate change. So even if we don't do anything differently as people, just the fact that there are more opportunities to come into contact with the ticks that cause brain disease will imply that there's going to be more brain disease in the future. And this is also true of the fact that climate change is really good at exposing us to neurotoxins. Environmental degradation is really good at exposing us to neurotoxins that we might not otherwise come into contact with. Air pollution is a great example. Particulate matter is really, really bad for your brain. It's one of these things that can cause low level inflammation in your brain. That chronically is likely one of the causes of something like Alzheimer's or Parkinson's. So, these are really cellular level scientific effects at the level of the individual. It's more about behavior. Think about the fact that, you're maybe a little slower of a thinker on a hot day. You're not a you're not as good at solving problems. I certainly feel like I'm a little sluggish when it's really warm out. And and we know from behavioral economics studies, for example, that, students are less good at taking exams on, on hot days. It's also true that immigration judges, for example, are less likely to rule in favor of an asylum applicant on a hot day. All else equal. So so there there are some effects with respect to, cognition and impulsivity that manifest at the level of the person. And then there are the effects that are all about the manner in which we treat one another. And what is this doing to culture? And I think aggression is a nice example of that. The fact that people tend to be more aggressive on hotter days. We're more prone toward violence. This is an effect that has been understood for centuries effectively, and I've again certainly felt it. But but the point here is that this is a this is a universal shared experience in terms of anybody, or anything with, a nervous system, basically a brain higher temperatures appear to be related, to aggression. And so as temperatures continue to rise, we should expect to see, more aggressive acts. And indeed, again, when you look at

Coming up on this week's program.

A new book about how star baseball players like Babe Rith and Shoeless Jow Jackson avoided military service in World War I by playing baseball for Bethlehem Stell plants., including in Lebanon and Steelton, also on the program we talk with former Obama social secretary and Author Deesha Dyer about her new book.
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Paige Joki, Staff Attorney at the Education Law Center in Philadelphia, is leading a groundbreaking initiative aimed at upholding the rights of young black girls within the education system. The initiative, aptly named the Black Girls Justice Initiative, comes in response to the pervasive inequities faced by black girls due to various forms of discrimination including anti-Black racism, sexism, ableism, homophobia, transphobia, and economic injustice.

In Joki's view, public schools should serve as supportive and affirming environments where black girls are championed in their academic and personal growth, yet the current reality falls short of this ideal. Black girls continue to encounter systemic barriers that hinder their ability to learn and thrive in educational settings. The Black Girls Justice Initiative operates on the principle of centering the needs and voices of black girls themselves, recognizing them as experts on the challenges they face in schools. Through this approach, the initiative aims to identify and address the interlocking educational barriers that disproportionately affect black girls.

ELC's Black Girls Education Justice Initiative, spearheaded by Paige Joki and former ELC legal intern Brandon Miller, Esq., is guided by several key principles. Firstly, it asserts the belief that black girls deserve full and holistic support in their educational journey. Secondly, it emphasizes the necessity of investing time and resources to dismantle the various forms of oppression that black girls encounter in schools. Lastly, the initiative focuses on developing and implementing unique legal strategies to tackle these barriers effectively. Through legal, policy, and communication strategies, the Education Law Center is committed to challenging the root causes of inequity in education. By advocating for the rights of black girls and addressing the systemic injustices they face, the Black Girls Justice Initiative seeks to create educational spaces where black girls can thrive without fear of discrimination or marginalization.

Paige Joki's leadership in this initiative underscores the importance of centering marginalized voices in the fight for educational equity. As the initiative continues to grow and evolve, it serves as a beacon of hope for black girls striving for justice and equality in education.
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As the anticipation builds and the excitement mounts, the Harrisburg Havoc, Central Pennsylvania's sole all women-led tackle football team, is rallying the region's residents to come out and support their upcoming season. With players itching to return to the field after months of intense preparation, the team is poised to showcase their skills against formidable opponents. Since October, the Harrisburg Havoc has been diligently honing their abilities, dedicating countless hours to training and strategizing for the challenges ahead. Their collective determination is palpable as they set their sights on their ultimate goal for the season: securing a spot in the National Championship, held in Canton, Ohio.

For the women of Central Pennsylvania who harbor a passion for football, the Harrisburg Havoc provides a vital outlet to not only play the sport they love but also to compete at a high level, mirroring the opportunities historically afforded to men. And in a landscape where women's participation in tackle football is still relatively uncommon, the Havoc stands as a beacon of empowerment and equality, breaking down barriers and shattering stereotypes. Led by a dedicated coaching staff and fueled by the unwavering support of their fans, the Harrisburg Havoc embodies the spirit of resilience and perseverance. Their journey represents more than just athletic prowess; it symbolizes the triumph of determination over adversity, the triumph of teamwork over individualism.

As the season unfolds, the Harrisburg Havoc invites the community to join them on their quest for greatness, to witness firsthand the grit and determination of these extraordinary athletes. With each tackle, each touchdown, they continue to inspire and uplift, leaving an indelible mark on the landscape of women's sports in Central Pennsylvania and beyond.
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