Nation's top highway official calls for slower driving in work zones

April 9, 2008

Urging everyone to drive slowly and carefully through highway work zones as repair crews work along the nation’s highways, Acting Federal Highway Administrator Jim Ray joined state transportation officials April 8 in kicking off the ninth annual National Work Zone Awareness Week.

“As thousands of highway repair crews head back to work this season, America’s drivers must remember that a work zone is the workplace of thousands of men and women,” said Ray. “Driving slowly and carefully keeps everyone safer.”

Urging everyone to drive slowly and carefully through highway work zones as repair crews work along the nation’s highways, Acting Federal Highway Administrator Jim Ray joined state transportation officials April 8 in kicking off the ninth annual National Work Zone Awareness Week.

“As thousands of highway repair crews head back to work this season, America’s drivers must remember that a work zone is the workplace of thousands of men and women,” said Ray. “Driving slowly and carefully keeps everyone safer.”

Ray noted that, because motorists are four times more likely to be injured or killed in a work zone than highway workers–often due to other drivers who may be speeding–the slogan this year is “Slow for the Cone Zone.” There were 1,010 fatalities in 2006, and work zone fatalities nationwide have increased over the last decade by nearly 50%. More than 3,000 work zones are expected on U.S. highways by mid-summer, the peak of travel season.

“Work zones are a daily reality as road crews work tirelessly to improve our quality of life. As more states look at innovative finance and tap the billions of dollars available for transportation investment in the private sector, we’re likely to see more work zones in coming years,” said Ray.

For maximum safety while driving through a work zone, Ray encouraged drivers to not tailgate and to avoid distractions like texting or using a cellular telephone while driving.

At the national kick-off ceremony in Sacramento, the FHWA joined the California Department of Transportation in honoring the memory of 170 Caltrans highway workers who died in the line of duty since 1924.

With the American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials, the American Traffic Safety Services Association, the American Road and Transportation Builders Association and others, the FHWA has strongly supported National Work Zone Awareness Week since the event’s creation in 1999.

Sponsored Recommendations

The Science Behind Sustainable Concrete Sealing Solutions

Extend the lifespan and durability of any concrete. PoreShield is a USDA BioPreferred product and is approved for residential, commercial, and industrial use. It works great above...

Proven Concrete Protection That’s Safe & Sustainable

Real-life DOT field tests and university researchers have found that PoreShieldTM lasts for 10+ years and extends the life of concrete.

Revolutionizing Concrete Protection - A Sustainable Solution for Lasting Durability

The concrete at the Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center is subject to several potential sources of damage including livestock biowaste, food/beverage waste, and freeze/thaw...

The Future of Concrete Preservation

PoreShield is a cost-effective, nontoxic alternative to traditional concrete sealers. It works differently, absorbing deep into the concrete pores to block damage from salt ions...