RALEIGH, NC — State and federal transportation leaders gathered at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds on Tuesday to mark the beginning of National Work Zone Awareness Week, urging motorists to slow down and stay alert to help protect road workers and fellow drivers.
For the first time, the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) was selected to host the national campaign, which runs April 21–25. This year’s theme — “Respect the zone so we all get home” — underscores a shared responsibility to prioritize safety in and around work zones.
“The safety of our roadway workers and the traveling public is a top priority at NCDOT,” said State Transportation Secretary Joey Hopkins at the kickoff event, held in the Kerr Scott Building near the Blue Ridge Road grade separation project. “Today’s kickoff is a reminder to everyone of their responsibility to reduce driving speed, remain attentive and travel cautiously when approaching a work zone.”
The event drew national and state officials, safety advocates, and construction workers, all highlighting the risks faced by transportation crews working just feet from fast-moving traffic. In 2024 alone, preliminary data show more than 6,870 work zone crashes in North Carolina, resulting in 47 fatalities — including transportation workers, pedestrians, and motorists.
New safety technology is helping reduce those risks. Hopkins said NCDOT has deployed connected work zone devices that transmit real-time data to navigation apps like Waze, providing drivers with audio alerts as they near work zones. The agency also utilizes flashing arrows, automated flagging assistance devices, and portable traffic signals to better protect crews.
“This location [Blue Ridge Road] is a great illustration of the steps we’re taking to make roads safer for everyone,” Hopkins added. “Safety is critical to all our projects from start to finish.”
The press event included a video message from U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and remarks from Governor’s Highway Safety Program Director Mark Ezzell and NCDOT roadway inspector William “BJ” Drewery.
“This year’s theme is a sobering reminder that our collective goal is to ensure everyone returns home safely at the end of each day,” said Ezzell. “Through collaborative efforts involving NCDOT, contractors, law enforcement agencies and the public, we can foster safer work zone environments for all.”
Throughout the week, NCDOT is using its social media platforms to amplify the safety message. Each day features a unique theme:
- April 22 – National safety events and worker training hosted by NCDOT and partners.
- April 23 – “Go Orange Day,” where supporters are encouraged to wear orange and post on social media using #NWZAW and #Orange4Safety.
- April 24 – Focus on digital awareness with messages shared across NCDOT’s social channels.
- April 25 – A moment of silence to honor those lost in work zone incidents.
NCDOT also created a new safety poster in partnership with USDOT, which has been shared with transportation agencies nationwide. Photos from Tuesday’s event and the full press conference are available on NCDOT’s Flickr and official channels.
With around 400 active work zones on any given day, North Carolina transportation officials are reminding everyone that safety in these zones is not just a worker issue — it’s everyone’s responsibility.
