Work Zone Fatalities are Appalling and out of Control

Despite the great and increasing efforts of industry companies and associations, U.S. Dept. of Transportation, state transportation officials, unions and law enforcement agencies, work zone fatalities hit a record high of 1,079 in 2001, the latest year for which data is available. This marks a 55% increase since 1997. At a ceremony in Washington, D.C. on April 8, 2003, 1,079 traffic cones representing the dead were set up as a memorial and a reminder. 80% of the cones had black ribbons on them, representing motorists who were killed. The remaining 20% had fluorescent ribbons, representing workers.