WASHINGTON, March 31 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW), which draws attention to the hazards roadway construction crews face from motorists not heeding safety warnings, is April 7-11. The ninth Annual National Media Event will be observed on Tuesday, April 8, in Sacramento, California, at the California State Capitol. The event will be hosted by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans).
The theme for this year's NWZAW is "Slow for the Cone Zone." Today's work zone points to tomorrow's improved roadways for smoother rides, better traffic flow and safer travel in your future.
Caltrans will observe Caltrans Workers Memorial Day at 11 a.m. on the west steps of the State Capitol. This is the first time in history that the national kick-off will take place outside of the Washington, D.C. area.
A Caltrans honor guard will pay tribute to all highway workers who have lost their lives in the line of duty, a vocalist will sing Amazing Grace, and a bugler will play taps during an honorary wreath presentation.
For 2006--the last year for which data is available--more than 1,000 died in work zones. Figures for 2007 will be released by the National Work Zone Safety Information Clearinghouse later this year. Motorists are also at risk for not following work zone safety precautions. They may face damage to their vehicles, injuries and loss of life. For 2006, 614 motorists died in work zone crashes.
Speakers include Caltrans Director Will Kempton; California Business, Transportation and Housing Agency Secretary Dale Bonner; Federal Highway Administration Acting Administrator James Ray; California Assembly Transportation Committee Chair Pedro Nava; and State Senate Transportation and Housing Committee Chair Alan Lowenthal.
Special speakers include ATSSA scholarship winner Sharla Cruse, the daughter of Texas Department of Transportation employee who was permanently paralyzed after being struck while working in a workzone; and Patsy Broeske, whose husband, Daniel--a Caltrans worker--was killed in a work zone.
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has been invited to speak at the ceremony.
Other groups participating in this public event are: the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), the American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA), the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC), the American Road and Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA), the California Transportation Commission, various legislators, representatives from transportation departments throughout the nation, union representatives, other transportation stakeholders, and surviving family members of the fallen.
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