(WXIA) -- Work Zone Safety Week is underway, and Georgia's Department of Transportation, the Governor's Office of Highway Safety and the Federal Highway Administration are emphasizing the need for Georgia motorists to use caution when travelling on all roads throughout the state.

During Work Zone Safety Week, highway departments, law enforcement and private contractors are reminding drivers that dangers can come from failure to be careful when behind the wheel, especially in work zones where heavy equipment is often used close to travel lanes.

According to a press release from GDOT, 57 workers were killed in work zones in past years, not including contract workers and civilians. 

ATLANTA -- The Georgia Department of Transportation closed their Emergency Operations Center early on Friday afternoon.

The center closed at 2:00 p.m., according to a spokeswoman for GDOT. GDOT decided to close early based on information from the National Weather Service, as it predicted that metro Atlanta will not be affected by severe weather conditions on Friday. 

As reported, the Northeast Georgia District (D1) operations center will remain open until further notice. The spokesperson sad GDOT will have limited crews ready to respond as needed on the roadways. 

Motorists are encouraged to visit www.georgia-navigator.com before making trips. 

May is National Bike Month, a celebration of cyclists and the pastime they enjoy. Whether you ride a bicycle to work or school, or for exercise, National Bike Month is a great reminder of how to stay safe while biking on the road.

According to the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, in Georgia, as in most states, the bicycle is legally a vehicle, meaning that general traffic laws apply to cyclists. And because bikes share the road with cars and trucks, accidents can happen.

Sean Sue, M.D., an Emergency Medicine physician at  Piedmont Hospital, says the most important safety tip for a cyclist is to always wear a helmet. “Head injuries account for two thirds of all bicycle-related deaths,” he says. “Helmets reduce the risk of head injury by more than 85 percent.”