DOVER — National Work Zone Awareness Week kicks off today, reminding drivers to use caution and drive carefully in and around work zones.

The public is encouraged to wear orange on Go Orange Day Wednesday.

NWZAW is held in April each year at the traditional start of the construction season on the nation’s roadways increases. The theme of this year’s campaign: Drive Safe. Work Safe. Save Lives.

When approaching a work zone, motorists should always slow down, follow all posted signs, be alert, and remain calm. Risky driving behavior affects more than just the driver – everyone’s lives and families are at stake.

 Technology is helping to make work zones safer by collecting data and automating processes, which can remove workers from dangerous situations and provide motorists with important information. It is also a reminder that work zone safety begins with workers who are dedicated to safety.

“DelDOT crews work hard to make the roads, highways and bridges better and safer for those that live and travel through Delaware,” Gov. John Carney said in a press release. “We want to ensure that our workers in these work zones can return home safely to their families every night. That requires all motorists to minimize distractions, slow down, and follow the posted work zone signs. Please do your part to keep our work zones safe and save lives."

“One of our priorities at DelDOT is the safety of all of our employees,” DelDOT Secretary Nicole Majeski said in a release. “There were over 47,000 work zones throughout Delaware in 2020 ranging from minor utility adjustments, maintenance activities, repaving projects, to large capital highway improvement projects such as the I-95 Rehabilitation project in Wilmington. For the safety of all workers and motorists on the Delaware roadways, please slow down, stay alert, and follow the posted signs in work zones. Remember to drive like you work here because their lives depend on it.”

View a special NWZAW presentation on DelDOT’s YouTube Channel featuring Gov.  Carney, Ms. Majeski, Col. Melissa Zebley with Delaware State Police, Drector of the Delaware Office of Highway Safety Kim Chesser, a representative from AAA Mid-Atlantic and firsthand accounts from DelDOT employees who were injured last year in work zones.

NWZAW began in 1999, when the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA), and the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) signed a Memorandum of Agreement pledging to increase public awareness of work zone safety issues through a national media campaign. Since then, awareness has continued to grow, with state agencies and other organizations sponsoring high-visibility education and outreach initiatives