Work Zone Awareness Week 2003: A Wake up Call for Motorists

The fourth annual National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW) will be observed around the country from April 6-12, 2003. In Washington, DC, traffic cones placed downtown at Freedom Plaza on April 8 will commemorate the 1,079 persons killed in motor vehicle crashes in work zones in 2001. An additional 40,000 persons are injured in motor vehicle crashes in work zones each year. The National Work Zone Memorial will also be on display at the April 8 event. This portable wall in inscribed with the names of 800 persons who lost their lives in work zones. Over the past year, the memorial has traveled around the country to raise public awareness of the need to travel cautiously through work zones. Many state highway agencies are doing their part too. The Virginia Road & Transportation Builders Association will be visiting high schools and Driver’s Ed. classes to talk to students about work zone safety. CTDOT puts a human thouch on workzone through its theme, “Please Slow Down, My Daddy Works Here.” CTDOT has also formed a coalition with various Connecticut utility provider companies to spread the work zone safety message. The Nebraska Dept. of Roads (NDOR) will be displaying booths in the State Capitol lobby, and Nebraska Governor Mike Johanns will also be signing a proclamation recognizing the week.