CHARLOTTE, NC – Drivers entering work zones need to obey posted speed limits, pay attention and avoid distractions. That’s the message state officials are sharing with people in North Carolina as Gov. Josh Stein proclaimed April as Work Zone Awareness Month.
The N.C. Department of Transportation has been named the host of this year’s nationwide campaign to promote safety in work zones during National Work Zone Awareness Week.
“Far too many people are killed or seriously injured in work zones,” said Joey Hopkins, North Carolina’s transportation secretary. “These deaths and injuries are preventable if drivers would simply slow down, be cautious and pay attention to the road when they are behind the wheel.”
More than 217 people were killed in work zones between 2019 and 2024. A total of 47 deaths occurred in the state last year alone, the proclamation notes. That included two workers, eight pedestrians and 37 motorists.
In North Carolina and across the nation, speed and distracted driving are leading causes in over half of all work zone crashes.
As host of this year’s National Work Zone Awareness Week, the N.C. Department of Transportation is planning a news conference at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds on April 22, and will be posting videos, social media messages, and news releases from April 21-25 to promote work zone safety.
The agency also developed a national poster to mark the occasion with the slogan ”Respect the Zone So We All Get Home.” Transportation agencies nationwide are using NCDOT’s poster for their own work zone safety promotions. The National Work Zone Memorial to honor people killed in work zones will be unveiled at this year’s April 22 press event.
