On April 4, 2017, National partners from the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) and U.S. Department of Labor joined Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) Secretary Pete K. Rahn and State Highway Administrator Gregory Slater at FMCC’S active construction site, Randolph Road/Georgia Avenue Interchange Project to launch Work Zone Awareness Week, an observance recognized by states across the country.
The theme for this year’s event is “Work Zone Safety is in Your Hands” and will focus on the importance of driving extra cautiously in work zones. Drivers should be alert and remain aware of their surroundings while following the speed limit and obeying traffic control devices.
Traffic crash fatalities are on the rise in Maryland. In 2015, six people perished in Maryland work zone related crashes. Over the last five years (2011-2015) in Maryland, there have been 7,916 crashes injuring 3,492 and killing 31 people. It is imperative for drivers to slow down, stay alert and avoid distractions. April is also Distracted Driving Awareness Month, with emphasis on preventing mobile phone use and texting while driving.
A new work zone safety effort that features SHA field employees and their children reminds drivers that work zone safety is “in their hands.” Social media, billboards, gas station toppers, radio public service announcements and other education materials will be used to reinforce these safety messages. During the briefing there were many work zone safety educational message boards displayed and cones with black ribbons that represents the lives lost in work zones. To view the National Work Zone Safety Awareness Kick-Off briefing click here.
SHA and partners will go “Orange” during National Work Zone Awareness Week as a gesture of support for work zone safety. In concert with the national observations, Governor Hogan has declared April 3-7 as Work Zone Awareness Week and April 5 as Go Orange – Roadway Worker Appreciation Day. The Government House in Annapolis will be lit in orange on April 4, and the Ravens Stadium will be lit in orange at the beginning of the week on April 2 and 3.
This is Fort Myer’s second year supporting National Work Zone Safety Awareness Week. In 2015, Fort Myer held a press conference at the same project to raise awareness about work zone safety. Click here for more information on the project.
