Safe actions save lives.

National Work Zone Awareness Week is April 20-24

National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW) has been observed for more than 20 years and was launched as a public awareness campaign to help everyone understand they play a role in keeping motorists and roadway workers safe.

NWZAW got its start in 1997 when a group of VDOT employees in southwestern Virginia wanted to dedicate a week to raise awareness of work zone safety among all district employees ahead of the busy roadway work season. The next year, VDOT presented the idea for a national awareness campaign to the American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA), which, in turn, approached the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO). The groups finalized plans and launched the first national kickoff event in 2000.

As part of NWZAW, everyone is encouraged to participate in Go Orange Day on April 22 and to observe a moment of silence on April 24 for people killed in work zone incidents. On Go Orange Day individuals are encouraged to wear orange as a visual reminder of work zones. Photos can be posted on social media using the hashtags #NWZAW and NWZAW Promotion Guide 6 #GoOrange4Safety.

To learn more about NWZAW, visit nwzaw.org .