National Work Zone Awareness Week

Wanco invites you to join transportation agencies, organizations, and individuals across the United States in observing this year’s National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW) during the week of April 17-21, 2023. The annual campaign encourages safe driving and brings attention to the deadly risks faced by workers, drivers, and passengers in roadway work zones. “You play a role in work zone safety. Work with us.” is the theme chosen for 2023.

The spring timing of National Work Zone Awareness Week is strategic, coinciding with the start of roadway construction season each year. With recent surges in infrastructure funding increasing the number of work zones required to handle new roadway projects, heightened safety awareness will play an even more critical role in helping to protect workers, motorists and pedestrians.

Statistics released by the National Work Zone Safety Information Clearinghouse tragically underscore need for improved safety awareness. In 2020 alone (the most recent year for which cumulative statistics are available), work zone crashes resulted in 857 fatalities and an estimated 44,000 injuries. Of those killed, 117 were work zone workers; the vast majority of victims were drivers, passengers and pedestrians.*

Learn more about how you can support this year’s observance of National Work Zone Awareness Week. The official schedule of events includes:

Monday, April 17 — Work Zone Safety Training Day. Organizations are encouraged to focus on safety discussions, policies and other prevention steps to help protect people in work zones.

Tuesday, April 18 — National Kickoff Event, hosted by The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT).

Wednesday, April 19 — Go Orange Day. Wear orange and share your support of work zone safety by posting pictures on your social media accounts with #GoOrangeDay.

Thursday, April 20 — Social Media Storm. Share messages promoting work zone safety using hashtag #NWZAW and #WorkZoneSafety throughout social media between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. ET.

Friday, April 21 — Moment of Silence to remember those killed in work zones accidents.

We all have a role to play in work zone safety. When approaching work zones, remember to:

• Slow down
• Pay attention to signs and alerts that can indicate reduced speeds, lane changes, and other important information
• Maintain a safe distance from other cars
• Keep an eye out for workers and other nearby pedestrians
• Stay focused

As the industry’s leading manufacturer or highway safety and traffic control products for over forty years, Wanco remains dedicated to the mission of helping to make work zones safer.

Learn more about National Work Zone Awareness Week at www.nwzaw.org.