Work Zone Safety Works

Respect the Zone: A Commitment to Work Zone Safety

It only takes a second. One glance at a phone, one moment of distraction, one wrong move—and a life can be lost in a work zone. Every year, road workers risk their lives to maintain and improve the infrastructure that keeps our communities running. And while we’ve made progress—work zone fatalities dropped 7% between 2021 and 2022—even one death is too many.

That’s why National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW) has been raising awareness for nearly 30 years, reminding all road users to “Respect the zone so we all get home. ”The 2025 commemoration, scheduled for April 21 to 25, will emphasize the critical importance of work zone safety through events such as a National Kickoff Event, “Go Orange Day,” and a powerful Moment of Silence honoring lives lost in work zone incidents.

Work zones create complex and potentially hazardous conditions, such as altered traffic patterns, reduced lanes, closed sidewalks, and active construction equipment. Safely navigating these areas is crucial for municipal employees, first responders, and school transportation professionals—not only for their own safety but also for the well-being of their coworkers, residents, and the road workers who depend on them to drive responsibly.

Shared Responsibility, Collective Action

CIRMA is committed to helping its members reinforce a culture of safety. Through expert-led training and cutting-edge resources, CIRMA Risk Management provides compliance guidance and practical strategies to promote safe driving.

CIRMA members are encouraged to access the following resources:

• U.S. Department of Transportation: Federal Highway Administration Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets & Highways
• CIRMA Chronicles: Chronicle #18 – Work Zone Safety for Law Enforcement (available on CIRMA’s e-Learning platform) 
• Hot Zone Series for Fire Services: Traffic Control Program Safety Topic
• Roll Call Topics: Work Zone Safety for Law Enforcement* (*POST credit available for this course) and Work Zone Safety
• Tail Gate Topics: Tail Gate Topics II – 80+ Topics for Improving Workplace Safety and Traffic Control

Public entity leaders like you understand the importance of leading by example, supporting one another, and preventing unnecessary tragedies. Have you ensured that your entity takes full advantage of CIRMA’s valuable and exclusive member safety resources?

 Visit CIRMA.org to access robust training options that feature awareness and statistics of vehicle accidents and provide best practices for safe driving operations. Contact your CIRMA Risk Management professional to get started today and set up an e-learning account. CIRMA e-learning is complimentary for CIRMA members and their employees. 

Contact your CIRMA Risk Management representative today to get started. Because when we respect the zone, we all get home.