Anniversary of highway workers’ memorial renews calls for work zone safety

RICHMOND — Two decades after the dedication of the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) workers’ memorial, highway workers continue to face the consequences of dangerous driving. Improved work zone safety is possible with collective efforts to practice good driving habits, including slowing down and avoiding distractions.

On Sept. 17, 2004, a monument was dedicated in a ceremony to recognize VDOT’s highway workers who lost their lives while on the job improving the commonwealth’s transportation system. Today, there are a total of 134 names of VDOT workers engraved on the monument. Many of the deaths occurred as a result of work zone crashes.

The monument was built entirely with donated funds and services from VDOT employees, family members, businesses and organizations throughout the state. No state funds were used in its construction.

Work zone safety

In work zones, speeding and distracted driving are some of the biggest factors leading to crashes that result in injuries and fatalities. The anniversary of the memorial provides everyone with an opportunity to remember the importance of safe driving in work zones and the tragic consequences of unsafe driver behavior.

Unlike typical road conditions, work zones involve large equipment, traffic pattern changes, lane closures, uneven pavement, speed limit changes, and – most importantly – workers.

Improved work zone awareness is needed to protect highway workers, drivers and pedestrians.

From 2014 to 2024, there have been over 35,000 work zone-related crashes across the commonwealth. That averages out to approximately 10 work zone-related crashes every single day. In that same time period, there have been 15,677 work zone-related injuries and 142 fatalities, including other drivers and non-VDOT workers.

Tips to safely navigate work zones

• Slow down.
• Focus and ditch the distractions.
• Use caution, stay alert.
• Follow the signs. Signs and flaggers will direct you through work zones. Expect changes. in traffic patterns as a project progresses.
• Watch out for workers and slow-moving equipment.
• Allow extra space between your vehicle and the one in front of you.
• Expect speed limits to vary in work zones. Enhanced fines of up to $500 may be levied for speeding in a work zone.
• Be patient. Crews are working to improve the safety and comfort of your travels.
• Never change lanes in a work zone.
• Before starting a trip, visit 511Virginia.org for real-time information on work zones and incidents. Download the free mobile 511Virginia app or call 511 from any phone in Virginia.

Get more information on the VDOT Workers’ Memorial.

B-roll footage of the construction of the memorial is available here.