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National Work Zone Awareness Week starts Monday: "Respect the zone so we all get home"

Fast facts:

  • National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW) is April 21-25.
  • Three workers and 13 motorists were killed in Michigan work zones in 2024.
  • Play your part and drive with focus, especially when navigating through work zones.

LANSING, Mich. ­- Last year, 16 people lost their lives in Michigan work zones. These preliminary statistics also reveal more than 6,000 work zone crashes in 2024. How many of these tragedies could've been avoided with basic, focused driving? Every driver plays a part. Every road and bridge crew has a vital role. Every work zone needs to be respected. Next week is National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW), and this year's theme is, "Respect the zone so we all get home."

NWZAW has been observed for more than 20 years and was launched as a public awareness campaign to help everyone understand they play a key role in keeping motorists and roadway workers safe.

"The statistics are alarming, and we can do better as we fix and update Michigan's aging infrastructure," said Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. "What's more important than getting home safely to your loved ones? Driving is a privilege, and every work zone needs to be respected so we all make it home."

All road agencies in Michigan, including the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), county road commissions and cities throughout the state, are working diligently every day to fix our old roads and bridges. Drivers need to respect these workers by focusing, staying alert and remaining vigilant behind the wheel.

In 2024, preliminary work zone crash information shows that there were:

  • 16 fatalities,
  • 1,065 work zone injuries and
  • 6,097 total crashes.

A media event will be held next Monday, April 28, with Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist, representatives from the Michigan State Police, MDOT and other safety officials from around Michigan.

Road and bridges need work, but there are also work zones above and below the roads to address fiber optic, water, sanitation, natural gas and electricity. To create awareness and show your support for each work zone crew, wear orange on Wednesday, April 23. We can all make it home safely if we do our part, so "Go Orange" at home or at work and share a photo on social media using hashtags #Orange4Safety, #GoOrangeDay, and #NWZAW.

MDOT reminds everyone to know before you go. Check www.Michigan.gov/Drive for updates on every work zone in the state on I, M and US routes.

Since 2000, NWZAW has been part of the Toward Zero Deaths (TZD) national safety campaign, a vision of eliminating fatalities on our nation's roads.

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