Behind the Barrel works to bring awareness about construction crewsPhoto courtesy of Behind The Barrel
North Ridgeville – There’s a new nonprofit organization in North Ridgeville that aims to make motorists a bit more mindful when it comes to construction workers. Matthew Kokal is the executive director of Behind The Barrel, and he’s making it his mission to remind drivers to pay more attention when coming upon construction sites.
According to data from the Ohio Department of Transportation, there were nearly 5,000 work zone crashes in Ohio in 2022, including 21 fatal crashes that claimed 23 lives. Kokal, himself a construction worker and proud member of Union Local 860, said not a day goes by when he witnesses or is part of a close call from drivers simply not paying attention or ignoring road rules.
Matthew Kokal has founded Behind The BarrelPhoto courtesy of Matthew Kokal
“Every day that we’re going to work, we’re putting our lives on the line to keep communities driving and going,” Kokal said. “We’re going into sinkholes, we’re going to main issues on busy four lane roads and every day there’s at least one close call. What happens when that close call is no longer a close call.
“Every crew, it’s a car where you can feel the air whizzing past you, or you the bumper of the car hits your pant leg or jacket,” he continued. “Sometimes you just never know if this is going to be the day where I don’t get to come home to my wife and kids, and it’s time we brought some awareness to this issue. Please, slow down. Please, pay attention.”
Married for five years to “my amazing wife Casey,” Kokal decided it was time for him to do something about this issue. He recalls seeing all types of public service announcements and groups that work with first responders in a similar capacity, and that turned into Behind The Barrel.
Kokal is currently working to raise awareness of his group and this issue, lining up area speaking engagements to detail the seriousness of the issue and the daily challenges construction workers face while doing roadwork. Any group that would like to invite Behind The Barrel and Kokal in to speak can reach him via his organization’s Facebook page.
He is also working to raise funds for the group and officially organize as a 501 3(c) nonprofit, but his end goal is to be able to help families whose loved ones have been affected by this type of workplace tragedy.
“My main initiative is to keep construction crews safe everywhere and to bring attention to all drivers to pay attention to road signs and arrow boards and most definitely be aware of workers,” Kokal said. “I’ve seen people drive right into a median or one of those concrete dividers and even those giant arrow board signs.
“It’s not like you can’t clearly see it, but for some reason, whether the driver is distracted or just not paying attention, they plow right into it,” he continued. “I see it almost every day. I want to be able to bring awareness and also honor Ohio’s fallen roadside construction workers and support their families. We need to all work together to reduce these preventable injuries or deaths.”
Kokal said his organization and his union are actively fighting for stricter legislation regarding roadside construction worker injuries.
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