ATSSA Signal March/April 2019

American Traffic Safety Services Association 10 ATSSA News National Work Zone Awareness Week ahead 19th annual NWZAW promotes work zone safety across the country NationalWorkZoneAwareness Week (NWZAW) 2019 is almost here, providing an opportunity to increase public aware- ness of work zone safety, and working to protect our roadway workers across the United States. We all play an import- ant role in keeping our work zones safe. NWZAW2019 will be held Apr. 8–12, 2019, and this year’s theme is “Drive Like You Work Here.” Go Orange Day, held during NWZAW, will be on Apr. 10. The event brings federal agencies, ATSSA members, state departments of trans- portation (DOTs), the media, and the public together to spread the message that all motorists need to use extra cau- tion when driving in work zones. In December 1999, ATSSA approached the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the American Association of State Highway Transportation Offi- cials (AASHTO), about launching the first official national kick-off event in 2000, which was hosted by the Virginia De- partment of Transportation (VDOT). The most recent data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Fatality Analysis Reporting Systemstates that there were 799 total work zone fa- talities, and 710 work zone crashes. This data shows that more work needs to be done to bring more public awareness to the dangers roadway workers face every day whenmaintaining our nation’s roadways. Wednesday, April 10 Wear orange to proudly show support for work zone safety Go Orange Day and NWZAW is the time to spread awareness of work zone safety, and show support for those who have lost loved ones in work zone crashes Visit www.NWZAW.org to download your 2019 poster and order your Go Orange Day Accessories #NWZAW #ORANGE4SAFETY This data shows that more work needs to be done to bring more public awareness to the dangers roadway workers face every day when maintaining our nation’s roadways.