Wearing orange on April 17 supports work zone safety

National Work Zone Awareness Week, April 15-19, is an annual spring event that brings attention to the importance of work zone safety. This year’s theme is “Work Zones are temporary. Actions behind the wheel can last forever.” It highlights the important role we all play when it comes to work zone safety.

I encourage you to join me on April 17 and wear orange as we remember those who lost their lives while working in a work zone.

Safety is always our first priority at ADOT, especially when establishing work zones. We designate work zones with signage, barricades, cones and orange or yellow vests. This ensures workers and drivers have enough space to safely navigate through a work zone. Drivers also need to do their part and slow down when driving through work zones. This is for your safety and the safety of those working on our roadways.

Besides our transportation crews, we have first responders like law enforcement, firefighters and tow truck operators who also need a safe area to work. When you see these individuals in a work zone, you should slow down or move over for them too.

According to the National Safety Council, there were 891 people killed and 37,701 people injured in work zone crashes in 2022. Our statewide law enforcement crash reports show that since 2019 at least 59 people have been killed in work zone-related crashes along all roads in Arizona, including local streets and state highways.

All of these crashes and injuries or deaths are preventable. It comes down to driver behavior. I can’t stress enough how important it is to be attentive while driving in work zones and obeying speed limits.

When you take the wheel in your hands, you have a responsibility to drive safely so all our loved ones come home. Work zones are temporary. Actions behind the wheel can last forever.