Every spring, National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW) serves as a vital reminder of the importance of work zone safety for roadway workers, motorists, and the communities they serve. This year, NWZAW will be recognized April 21-25, 2025, hosted by the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT). It will unite organizations across the country in a shared mission to prevent work zone tragedies. This year’s theme is “Respect The Zone So We All Go Home.”
The NCDOT will host this year’s NWZAW kickoff event on April 22, 2025, and has planned a series of activities and educational initiatives to promote work zone safety throughout the nation.
You can learn more about the national campaign by visiting the official NWZAW website: www.nwzaw.org, and check out what’s happening locally by exploring your local Department of Transportation website or visiting NCDOT’s NWZAW page for events and safety initiatives taking place across North Carolina.
Why NWZAW Matters Now More Than Ever
As roadway improvement projects continue to expand nationwide, the need for heightened awareness and education around work zone safety grows more urgent. This year’s theme, “Respect The Zone So We All Get Home,” emphasizes the shared responsibility of drivers to follow traffic laws, reduce speed, and stay alert in work zones to protect both themselves and the workers maintaining and improving our roads.
According to the National Work Zone Safety Clearinghouse, there were approximately 96,000 work zone crashes and 891 work zone fatalities in 2022 alone—a sobering reminder of what’s at stake when safety isn’t prioritized.
What To Expect During NWZAW 2025
NWZAW 2025 features a variety of events and initiatives designed to bring attention to work zone safety:
- April 21: Work Zone Safety Training Day—Kicking off the week to emphasize the importance of proper training for personnel to lay the groundwork for safety.
- How can you participate? Take a moment before your day begins to host a tailgate talk or schedule a break during the workday for safety demonstrations or discussions about safety policies.
- April 22: National Kickoff Event—Hosted by NCDOT, this event will gather transportation leaders and safety advocates to share key messages and best practices.
- Looking for an event in your area? If you are in North Carolina, join their National Kick-Off event in Raleigh, NC! You can also contact your local Department of Transportation or American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA) Chapter to learn of events in your area.
- April 23: Go Orange Day—All roadway professionals and the public are encouraged to wear orange to show their support for work zone safety.
- Looking for ideas on how to participate? Sharing photos on social media with hashtags like #NWZAW and #Orange4Safety helps spread awareness and gets your team involved!
- April 24: Social Media Storm—This coordinated effort aims to flood social media platforms with messages and information about work zone safety to reach a broader audience.
- Join the Movement on Social! Share safety messages, photos, or follow NCDOT on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and other platforms.
- April 25: Moment of Silence—A moment of silence will be observed to honor those who have lost their lives in work zone incidents, reinforcing the human impact.
- Visit the latest ATSS Foundation “In Memoriam Video” to honor those who lost their lives in work zone tragedies: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uwj0ZgBs94E&feature=youtu.be
As part of the national campaign, the American Traffic Safety Services (ATSS) Foundation Memorial Wall continues to travel across the country, honoring fallen roadway workers. This moving tribute is a powerful visual reminder of the real human cost of work zone crashes and reinforces why every cone, barricade, and safety protocol matters. The wall offers a moment for reflection and remembrance.
Building a Safer Industry, Together
Let’s turn awareness into action! NWZAW is not just another week on the calendar, it’s a powerful call to action for our entire industry. Now is the time to step up, lead by example, and champion safer work zones. From hands-on employee training and impactful client education to community outreach and advocacy, every action we take moves the needle toward a safer future.
It’s important for companies across the roadway and infrastructure sectors to lean in, get involved, and make safety a priority of their culture—not just during NWZAW, but all year long. When we work together, we don’t just raise awareness, we save lives, strengthen our teams, and set a new standard for safety across the industry.
