Hummelstown, Pennsylvania – As the nation observes National Work Zone Awareness Week (April 21 to 25, 2025), Flagger Force, an industry-leading, Safety-Driven®, short-term traffic control company headquartered in Hummelstown, Pennsylvania with operations across the eastern third of the United States, is sharing actionable tips to help keep community members and roadway workers out of harm’s way.
Individuals who work on or near the roadway, such as utility contractors, telecommunication providers, and traffic control professionals, face dangerous conditions every day. According to the National Work Zone Safety Information Clearinghouse, in 2022, there were an estimated 96,000 work zone crashes across the United States resulting in 37,000 injuries and 891 fatalities. As the weather warms up and the number of work zones increases across the nation, it is critical motorists “Respect the Zone so We All Get Home,” which is the theme of this year’s National Work Zone Awareness (NWZAW) campaign.
As a leader in short-term traffic control, operating more than 1,000 active work zones daily, Flagger Force has unfortunately seen firsthand that when drivers dismiss advance warning signs for work zones, disobey laws that dictate proper conduct, and disregard the individuals working on or near the roadway, it can lead to devastating injuries and fatalities. As part of NWZAW, Flagger Force is committed to sharing ways community members can work together to improve work zone safety, protect roadway workers, and prevent tragic accidents.
- Stay Alert. Stay Alive. When operating a vehicle, it is critical that motorists stay alert. From driving distracted to driving under the influence, there are several actions that can lead to devastating outcomes. Flagger Force reminds drivers to avoid texting, using their vehicle’s built-in touchscreens and displays, reaching around for items, or engaging in any other activity that will take their attention away from the road. Certain habits can also increase the likelihood of distracted driving. For example, individuals who drive the same vehicle or take the same commute to work every day are more likely to drive distracted because they are comfortable with their routine. Distracted driving is dangerous, and many work zone accidents occur because motorists do not stay alert and do not see the warning signs for an approaching work zone until it is too late.
Driving under the influence also impacts an individual’s ability to remain alert. When navigating a work zone impaired, drivers are slower to react to traffic control professionals’ signals and roadway changes. Flagger Force encourages community members to never drive under the influence because it puts multiple lives at risk.
- Move Over. When motorists encounter a stopped vehicle with its flashing or amber warning lights on, such as a traffic control truck, they should move over to the lane furthest away, if possible. This creates additional space and reduces the risk of a collision with the stationary vehicle. If it is not possible to move over, drivers should reduce their speed and proceed with caution.
- Slow Down. Speeding in active work zones puts both traffic control professionals and motorists at risk. Speed is a factor in many accidents, especially in active work zones, and slowing down below the speed limit even in lighter than normal traffic can save lives. Work zone safety education and outreach are vital to protecting motorists and those who work on or near the roadway.
- Understand State Traffic Laws. It is important that motorists understand their state’s traffic laws. As new legislation aimed at improving work zone safety is enacted and enforced, community members must be aware of their civil responsibilities as well as the consequences of violating these laws, such as fines, criminal implications, and more importantly causing serious injuries or death.
In addition to educating motorists about the important role they play in keeping themselves and roadway workers safe, Flagger Force will host and participate in events, collaborate with industry partners and elected officials, and offer employees special training courses as part of National Work Zone Awareness Week.
“At Flagger Force, our commitment to create and maintain a safety culture in all aspects of our operations is unwavering. We focus on implementing industry-leading best practices, rigorous training programs, and state-of-the-art technologies to mitigate risk and ensure the well-being of everyone involved in our projects. While our internal safety and training efforts are one piece of the puzzle, collaborating with state departments of transportation, legislators, law enforcement officers, contractors, and industry partners to implement initiatives that enhance work zone safety and increase public awareness of the dangers of reckless driving is also critical. Everyone plays a role in ensuring roadway workers get home safely at the end of every day,” said Luke Lazar, CSP, Vice President of Risk and Safety at Flagger Force.
Mike Doner, President and CEO of Flagger Force added, “The individuals repairing and maintaining our nation’s roadways are husbands, wives, fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, and friends, and one bad decision behind the wheel can end a life, cause serious injury, and change the lives of many people forever. At Flagger Force, we are driven to prevent work zone tragedies and National Work Zone Awareness Week presents an opportunity for our team to educate motorists about their responsibilities when navigating work zones, share real-life stories about the impacts of reckless and distracted driving, and collaborate with our partners to create positive change and keep our communities moving.”
Founded by the Virginia Department of Transportation, National Work Zone Awareness Week is an annual campaign held at the start of construction season to encourage safe driving through work zones. State departments of transportation, government agencies, businesses, and safety professionals all come together to recognize the campaign. For additional information, please visit https://www.nwzaw.org/.
About Flagger Force
Flagger Force is recognized as an industry-leading, Safety-Driven®, short-term traffic control company, headquartered in Hummelstown, Pennsylvania, with operations across the eastern third of the United States. They utilize a crew-centric operations model to establish safe work zones with a full-time employee base of more than 2,200 professionals. Flagger Force’s best-in-class resources and expertise have driven the consistent growth of their service capacity to help support the nation’s expanding utilities, telecommunications, and other infrastructure-centered needs. For more information, visit FlaggerForce.com.
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