National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW) is an annual event that takes place across the United States to raise awareness of work zone safety amongst motorists and workers.
According to national statistics reported by The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) in 2017, work zone accidents resulted in:
- 700 work zone fatalities
- 130 worker fatalities
- Over 35,000 work zone injuries
- 174 fatal crashes involving large trucks and buses
- Mobile device users are four times more likely to crash
- $3.5 billion loss to heavy & civil engineering construction industries from injuries and fatalities
The event, now in its 19th year, is a result of partnerships between state departments of transportation (DOT), national road safety organizations, government agencies and private companies.
The theme of this year’s event is “Work Zone Safety: Everybody’s Responsibility”, reminding motorists to use extra caution when driving through work zones.
The host state is Illinois, with the kick-off event being held in Chicago on April 10th.
One highlight of the annual fixture is Go Orange Day, when all roadway safety professionals across the country are encouraged to wear orange to show their support for work zone safety.
For more information on National Work Zone Awareness Week, visit ATSSA’s page on the event here: http://www.nwzaw.org
The Illinois Department of Transportation is one of the many DOT’s across the United States using RapidPlan. We are proud to be working with IDOT, and many other industry stakeholders, to make work zones safer across the country.
