Caltrans, OTS Unveil New Student-Named Work Zone Safety Mascot Published

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and the California Office of Traffic Safety have introduced Safety Sam, a new safety cone mascot aimed at raising public awareness to protect highway workers across the state. Selected through a statewide student contest, the name Safety Sam was proposed by Miller Ruiz, a student from Huntington Christian School in Huntington Beach. Miller’s winning suggestion earned him several prizes, including a laptop and gift cards, and Safety Sam will now serve as a visual ambassador for work zone safety. With nearly 7,000 work-zone crashes in California in 2020 alone, Safety Sam’s role is crucial in educating drivers about the importance of moving over or slowing down when approaching work zones. The mascot will be utilized in community outreach efforts and materials to inform the public about the state’s “Move Over” law and work zone safety practices. Through initiatives like Safety Sam, Caltrans aims to achieve its goal of zero fatalities and serious injuries on state highways by 2050, reinforcing its commitment to prioritizing safety on California’s roadways.