MIDLAND, Mich. - It's National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW). Are you driving with focus and doing your part to keep workers, pedestrians and other drivers safe? "Respect the zone so we all get home" is this year’s theme but it's also a reminder that driver responsibility is crucial for roadway safety, especially in work zones.
A media event this coming Monday, April 28, will honor fallen workers and motorists, along with the families of those killed in work zones this past year, featuring speakers from public agencies and transportation organizations throughout Michigan.
Last year, preliminary work zone crash statistics show there were 6,097 work zone crashes in Michigan resulting in 16 fatalities. Three of those tragedies were road workers: Jeffrey McLeod of Lincoln Park, Gregory Smith from Mount Pleasant, and 22-year-old Cole Dylen Gustafson from Rapid River. Most, if not all, of these crashes could have been avoided with responsible, careful driving. So, pay attention when driving, follow the basic rules of the road, and respect the zone so we all get home.
Safety experts throughout Michigan are coming to Dow Diamond in Midland, home of the Great Lakes Loons, to discuss challenges, best practices and solutions for work zone safety.
Officials from the Michigan State Police (MSP), the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA), the American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA), Dow Chemical Co., and the Michigan Infrastructure and Transportation Association (MITA) will speak about worker and motorist safety, new legislation to protect workers, and the issues we all encounter in work zones.
Speakers:
- Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II
- Dow Chemical Value Chain Manager of Road Markings Art Leman
- ATSSA Michigan Chapter President and ROWE Associate Brian Sarkella
- MITA Board President and President of Angelo Iafrate Construction Mike DeFinis
- MIOSHA Construction Safety and Health Division Director Dan Maki
- MSP Chief Deputy Director Lt. Col. Aimee Brimacombe
- MDOT Newberry TSC Manager Dawn Gustafson (Aunt of Cole Gustafson)
- MDOT Chief Operating Officer Gregg Brunner
When:
Monday, April 28, 2025
11 a.m.
Where:
Dow Diamond
825 E Main St.
Midland, MI 48640
Background:
As part of the nationwide Toward Zero Deaths safety campaign, a vision of eliminating fatalities on our nation's roads, NWZAW became a national event in 2000 and awareness has grown ever since. MDOT, along with numerous traffic safety partners across the country, supports NWZAW to raise awareness and further improve road safety for all workers, drivers and passengers.
Wear orange tomorrow on Wednesday, April 23, to create awareness and show your support for each work zone crew. "Go Orange" at home or at work and share a photo on social media of you or your team wearing orange, using hashtags #Orange4Safety, #GoOrangeDay and #NWZAW.
For more facts, stats and information about Michigan work zone safety, visit www.Michigan.gov/WorkZoneSafety.
For info on every work zone in the state on US, M and I routes, check www.Michigan.gov/Drive before you get behind the wheel.
