Press Releases
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Release #12-13
Seth Solomonow/Nicole Garcia (212) 839-4850
NYC DOT Highlights National Work Zone Awareness Week, Reminds New Yorkers to Drive Safely Through Work Zones on Streets, Roadways and Bridges
Ad campaign highlights renewed call for State legislation to criminalize work zone incidents
The New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) today reminded New Yorkers to drive with care through work zones on streets, roadways and bridges as part of the agency’s ongoing efforts to make these places safer for everyone—especially workers—and as part of National Work Zone Awareness Week, which is being observed April 23-27. Roughly one work zone fatality occurs every 15 hours nationally. Across the U.S., one work zone injury occurs every 16 minutes. In New York City, 22 city DOT workers have been injured in work zone incidents since 2009 and seven employees died from crashes in work zones during the past two decades. While National Work Zone Awareness Week is designated for one week at the start of the construction season in April, its message resonates year round. This is reflected in DOT’s ongoing pursuit of legislation with elected leaders for stiffer penalties for motorists driving recklessly through work zones. This month, DOT re-introduced its work-zone safety ad campaign to build awareness that work zones are work places and to encourage motorist to drive with care through them to saves lives. The ads, which appear on billboards, in print and on the radio in Albany and New York City, can be viewed at nyc.gov/workzonesafety.
“An act as simple as slowing down when you see the orange barrels, cones and lights of a work zone can save lives,” said Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan. “The crews who work hard to maintain our roads and bridges and keep them safe for everyone rely on the security of work zones, and they deserve our full attention every day of the year.”
This year, DOT’s Work Zone Awareness campaign features black-and-white images of city DOT highway repairer Nicholas “Nicky” Antico’s widow, Anna, who shares her heartfelt testimonial of losing her husband to a 2005 work zone crash. Radio ads feature Anna Antico and Ed Hastings, who lost his friend to a work zone incident.
DOT also is marking National Work Zone Awareness Week by having DOT staff hand out information and orange bumper magnets at various locations citywide, including the Staten Island Ferry terminals and at various New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) facilities. The DMV also will scroll electronic messages promoting work zone safety in all locations across the state.
Information about DOT’s ongoing efforts to enhance safety on New York City’s streets, roadways and bridges can be found at www.nyc.gov/dot.
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