National Work Zone Awareness Week is April 17 - 21, 2023
RICHMOND — The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) will observe National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW) Monday to Friday, April 17 – 21, to honor employees and contractors who risk their lives to keep Virginia moving every day.
All week long VDOT will alert drivers to the potential dangers of highway work zones, which claimed 22 lives across Virginia last year. Nationwide, more than 80% of those who die in work zone crashes are motorists or passengers.
The 2023 theme is “Work with Us,” a reminder that highway workers and motorists all play a key role in work zone safety.
“The men and women working on our roadways have the same goal as drivers – to get home safely at the end of the day. That requires a partnership,” said Virginia Secretary of Transportation Shep Miller. “VDOT strives to clearly mark its work zones and make sure motorists can navigate them safely. Drivers have a responsibility to slow down and completely focus on the roadway.”
“Every spring, drivers see more construction and maintenance on Virginia’s roads and bridges,” said VDOT Commissioner Stephen Brich. “Work zones can have changing traffic patterns, slow-moving heavy equipment and visual distractions. We ask the traveling public to work with us for their own safety and ours.”
VDOT’s employees and contractors are committed to work zone safety. Virginia has led the way to raise awareness of the challenges that workers and drivers encounter in work zones.
VDOT continues working with other state transportation departments, federal government agencies, national road safety organizations, private companies and industry leaders to educate travelers on work zone safety.
Join us in observing National Work Zone Awareness Week:
In 1997, a group of VDOT employees in the Bristol District wanted to dedicate a week to raise awareness about work zone safety among all district employees before road work increased in the spring. Following the successful promotion of the first event, VDOT shared the idea to have similar messaging with other DOTs to promote a uniform set of safety tips. Since 2000, National Work Zone Awareness Week has been observed across the United States.
Tips to safely navigate work zones:
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Last updated: December 5, 2024