HELD in April, this year’s National Work Zone Awareness Week served as an important reminder that, despite a global public health emergency, construction is moving forward on America’s roads.
Drivers should always be mindful of workers in highway construction areas throughout the year. In 2018, the most recent year for which data are available, 754 people died in highway work-zone crashes.
“Everyone has a role to play when it comes to the safety of highway workers on our roads, so please remember to always stay focused, follow posted speed limits, and drive with care and caution through work zones,” said US Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao.
Though highway workers are often among the victims of work zone crashes, the dangers of reckless driving more often affect those behind the wheel and their passengers. Four out of five work zone fatalities were drivers or passengers, according to Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) data. Generally, crashes occur when drivers speed through a work zone or do not pay attention to the changing road conditions and drive off the road, or run into other vehicles, highway equipment or safety barriers.
“While we all continue to do our part by staying home to protect communities from the spread of COVID-19, it’s important to remember that highway construction crews are still hard at work on projects to maintain our roads and bridges,” said Federal Highway Administrator Nicole Nason. “If you have to go out, please drive carefully through work zones so we can keep highway workers, as well as first responders, safe.”
For 20 years, National Work Zone Awareness Week has been held in April at the traditional start of construction season when highway projects increase. This year, state and local transportation agencies are using social media in lieu of public events to remind those who need to be on the road to drive carefully.
For more information on this year’s National Work Zone Awareness campaign, visit ops.fhwa.dot.gov/wz/outreach/wz_awareness.htm.