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It’s almost National Work Zone Awareness Week: "Safe Actions Save Lives"
April 13, 2026
Fast facts:
- National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW) is April 20-24.
- Three workers and 22 motorists were killed in Michigan work zones in 2025.
- Approximately 6,000 crashes occurred last year in work zones.
LANSING, Mich. - Last year, 25 people lost their lives in Michigan work zones, including 22 motorists and three construction workers. Preliminary statistics also show approximately 6,000 work zone crashes in 2025. These numbers are very similar when compared to 2024. How can these crashes and fatalities be prevented?
This year's theme for National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW) is "Safe actions save lives." This means everybody. Every driver, every worker, every road agency, every time.
NWZAW has been observed for more than 20 years and was launched as a public awareness campaign to help everyone understand they play a key role in keeping motorists and roadway workers safe. This year, NWZAW is April 20-24.
"Fixing the roads benefits everyone, and we must all sustain focus and work together to create a safe environment on our roadways and work zones," said Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. "The number one safety feature in every vehicle is always the driver. Being vigilant and cautious behind the wheel will save lives."
With more than 1,000 work zone injuries last year, safety experts throughout Michigan are coming to Dow Diamond in Midland on Monday, April 20, to discuss new innovations, challenges, best practices and solutions for work zone safety.
Officials from the Michigan State Police (MSP), the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA), the American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA), the Dow Chemical Co., the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO), and the Michigan Infrastructure and Transportation Association (MITA) will speak about worker and motorist safety, and the issues we all encounter in work zones.
Speakers:
Dow Chemical Value Chain Manager of Road Markings Art Leman
ATSSA Michigan Chapter President and ROWE Associate Brian Sarkella
MIOSHA Construction Safety and Health Division Director Dan Maki
MITA Director of Safety and Compliance Greg Brooks
MSP Col. James F. Grady II
Special Guests: Danielle and Aaron Bellgowan
MDOT Chief Operations Officer Gregg Brunner
The Governor’s Office
When:
Monday, April 20, 2026
11 a.m.
Where:
Dow Diamond
825 E Main St.
Midland, MI 48640
Background:
As part of the nationwide Toward Zero Deaths safety campaign, a vision of eliminating fatalities on our nation's roads, NWZAW became a national event in 2000. MDOT, along with numerous traffic safety partners across the country, supports NWZAW to raise awareness and further improve road safety for all workers, drivers and passengers.
Wear Orange Wednesday is April 22. To create awareness and show your support for work zone crews, wear orange that day. We can all respect the zone and make it home safely if we pay attention and work together, so "Go Orange" at home or in the field and share a photo on social media using hashtags #Orange4Safety, #GoOrangeDay and #NWZAW.
For more facts, stats and information about Michigan work zone safety, visit www.Michigan.gov/WorkZoneSafety.
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