(La Porte, IN) - Drivers are urged to pay attention after a few close calls with La Porte street maintenance crews.

Code Enforcement Director Jeff Batchelor said the crews were out early Monday morning striping streets in the downtown area. The work occurred well before sunrise when drivers were not out in large numbers.   

However, Batchelor said three vehicles that morning nearly hit a blinking arrow sign marking the work zone and crew members.

“That’s totally unacceptable. It’s just people not paying attention to what’s going around on them. Please take your time,” Batchelor said.

Batchelor also revealed water department workers in a trench below the ground surface have also had vehicles coming within too close of a distance to them.

“There’s reasons why there’s signs up. Please follow them because it’s for everybody’s safety,” Batchelor said.

Mayor Tom Dermody asked drivers to stay off their cell phones while operating their vehicles. “We got kids out. It’s summertime,” he said.