Milwaukee County Reminds Drivers Of National Work Zone Awareness Week (nwzaw) April 21-25, 2025

MILWAUKEE – The Milwaukee County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) is recognizing this week, April 21 – 25, as National Work Zone Awareness Week. National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW) is an annual spring campaign held at the start of construction season to encourage safe driving through highway work zones. This year’s theme is “Respect the Zone so we All Go Home.”

“The goal of National Work Zone Awareness Week is to save lives,” said Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley. “Everyone plays a role in keeping motorists and roadway workers safe. Ahead of construction season, we want to spread the word ‘Respect the zone, so we all go home.’”

Struck-by injuries are the 2nd leading cause of death among construction workers in the United States, and the leading cause of nonfatal injuries in the construction industry. Drivers are encouraged to avoid distractions, reduce speed, and be aware of workers and other roadway users to improve work zone safety for everyone.

Statistics from the National Work Zone Safety Information Clearinghouse show there were 821 fatal crashes in work zones resulting in 891 deaths in 2022. In addition, 94 roadway workers were killed in work zones.

“The vast majority of people killed in work zones in 2022 were motorists, passengers and pedestrians,” said MCDOT Director Donna Brown Martin. “That demonstrates the importance of work zone safety and spreading the message that everyone plays a role in getting roadway workers home safely.”

April 23 is National Go Orange Day

April 23 is national Go Orange Day, and everyone is encouraged to wear orange to proudly show their support of work zone safety. MCDOT will highlight Go Orange Day and work zone safety throughout NWZAW. Show your support on social media by posting orange pics and using the hashtags #NWZAW and #Orange4Safety.

About National Work Zone Awareness Day

NWZAW is an annual event observed nationwide that brings together the American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA), public agencies, national roadway safety organizations, companies and individuals to promote the importance of work zone safety. To learn more about NWZAW, visit nwzaw.org.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.