Washington, D.C. — Work zone safety continues to be a top priority for contractors and ÉϺ£ÕÅÔ½ÀÏʦ³ö¹ì (ÉϺ£ÕÅÔ½ÀÏʦ³ö¹ì), who will attend the kick off for the 9th Annual National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW) on the west steps of the California State Capitol in Sacramento, Tuesday, April 8 at 11 a.m. This year's theme is "Slow for the Cone Zone," and the week will be recognized April 7–11, 2008. NWZAW was launched in 1999 by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to bring attention to motorist and worker safety in work zones.
"Working together is the only way to improve safety in highway work zones," said ÉϺ£ÕÅÔ½ÀÏʦ³ö¹ì chief executive officer Stephen E. Sandherr. "Contractors try to create the safest environment possible, but highway work zone safety requires a joint effort that includes motorists as well as all levels of government."
According to FHWA, 1,010 people were killed in 2006 and more than 40,000 people are injured each year as a result of motor vehicle crashes in work zones.
Other organizations in attendance include FHWA, American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) and the California Transportation Commission. Over the years, FHWA has worked with AASHTO and the American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA) to coordinate and sponsor the event. Since its inception, other transportation partners have joined the effort.
More information is available at and .
ÉϺ£ÕÅÔ½ÀÏʦ³ö¹ì of America (ÉϺ£ÕÅÔ½ÀÏʦ³ö¹ì) is the largest and oldest national construction trade association in the United States. ÉϺ£ÕÅÔ½ÀÏʦ³ö¹ì represents 33,000 firms, including 7,500 of America's leading general contractors and 12,500 specialty–contracting firms. More than 13,000 service providers and suppliers are associated with ÉϺ£ÕÅÔ½ÀÏʦ³ö¹ì through a nationwide network of chapters. Visit the ÉϺ£ÕÅÔ½ÀÏʦ³ö¹ì Web site at . ÉϺ£ÕÅÔ½ÀÏʦ³ö¹ì members are "Building Your Quality of Life."
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