Frustrated with road work all over Ohio? Imagine how the workers must feel, as careless drivers zip by, ignoring the speed limit and traffic direction. It’s dangerous work, though it should be much less so.

Monday, the Ohio Department of Transportation announced 58 road crews have been hit on the job so far this year. That surpasses last year’s total. Who knows what might happen once the weather gets colder and perhaps snowier?

Back in June, an ODOT worker was killed in a work zone accident on Ohio 60 in Muskingum County.

“It is with a heavy heart that I share the devastating news of the loss of our ODOT team member and friend, Marvin “Marty” Crane. He was tragically killed while performing his duties,” ODOT Director Jack Marchbanks said then. “His death leaves a void among us and reminds us of the fragility and preciousness of life.”

ODOT workers are doing a job for us. They’re making the roads better and safer. To do that, they’ve got to put themselves in close proximity to those of us who are rushing to get from point A to point B.

And so, the department’s requests are simple: Pay attention to the road, put down your phone, obey posted speed limits and don’t drive distracted or impaired. Slow down. And, if you can, move over to put even more cushion between your vehicle and road crews.

It should be easy to follow such instructions. After all, the lives of the men and women working in those zones are worth more than glancing down at a phone or arriving a minute or two earlier. Right?