Washington, D.C. — Work zone safety continues to be a top priority for contractors and The Associated General Contractors (AGC), who will attend the kick off for the 9th Annual National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW) on the west steps of the California State Capitol in Sacramento, Tuesday, April 8 at 11 a.m. This year's theme is "Slow for the Cone Zone," and the week will be recognized April 7–11, 2008. NWZAW was launched in 1999 by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to bring attention to motorist and worker safety in work zones.
"Working together is the only way to improve safety in highway work zones," said AGC chief executive officer Stephen E. Sandherr. "Contractors try to create the safest environment possible, but highway work zone safety requires a joint effort that includes motorists as well as all levels of government."
According to FHWA, 1,010 people were killed in 2006 and more than 40,000 people are injured each year as a result of motor vehicle crashes in work zones.
Other organizations in attendance include FHWA, American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) and the California Transportation Commission. Over the years, FHWA has worked with AASHTO and the American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA) to coordinate and sponsor the event. Since its inception, other transportation partners have joined the effort.
More information is available at www.agc.org/highway and http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/wz/outreach/wz_awareness.htm.
The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) is the largest and oldest national construction trade association in the United States. AGC represents 33,000 firms, including 7,500 of America's leading general contractors and 12,500 specialty–contracting firms. More than 13,000 service providers and suppliers are associated with AGC through a nationwide network of chapters. Visit the AGC Web site at www.agc.org. AGC members are "Building Your Quality of Life."
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