Governor McDonnell Announces "Work Zone Awareness Week"
RICHMOND - Governor Bob McDonnell declared the week of April 23 - April 27 "Work Zone Awareness Week" in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The proclamation is below and available online at http://www.governor.virginia.gov/OurCommonwealth/Proclamations/viewproc.cfm?id=93.
Speaking about the declaration, Governor McDonnell said, "Last year, there were an estimated 3,457 crashes in designated work zones around Virginia resulting in 1,816 injuries and 11 fatalities. This year, there will be even more work zones as Virginia makes unprecedented multi-billion dollar, multi-year transportation infrastructure upgrades. These upgrades are critical to improving transportation in all parts of Virginia, but as they go into effect, we ask for motorists to do all they can to keep our roads safe for motorists and contractors, bearing in mind that the vast majority of those injured or killed in work zones are drivers themselves. I also thank those who are participating in 'Go Orange Day' today in support of Work Zone Awareness Week. "
Send your photos of you and your colleagues wearing orange to VDOTPhotoRequest@VDOT.virginia.gov and they will be included on VDOT's Flickr site.
Work Zone Awareness Week
WHEREAS, the health, safety and well-being of all Virginians are important to the happiness, livelihood and prosperity of our Commonwealth's families and communities; and
WHEREAS, the number of Americans who engage in distracted driving is increasing, and it is important to recognize that distracted driving in work zones is a preventable problem; and
WHEREAS, in 2011, there were an estimated 3,457 crashes, 1,816 injuries and 11 fatalities in designated work zones across the Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, the Commonwealth of Virginia is in the midst of unprecedented multi-billion dollar, multi-year transportation infrastructure upgrades with a myriad of construction work zones throughout the Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, law enforcement officers report that as many as 40 percent of drivers are talking or texting on their cellular phones while driving in these construction zones; and
WHEREAS, distracted driving is the primary cause for 56 percent of accidents requiring a police response; and
WHEREAS, law enforcement officers daily put themselves in harms' way to protect travelers, workers, and bystanders in the transportation construction zones throughout the Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, education and increased awareness about the dangers of distracted driving in work zones improves highway safety for all citizens and visitors in Virginia; and
WHEREAS, the Virginia State Police and local police departments are taking an active role in preventing distracted driving by participating in the "Orange Cones. No Phones." safety initiative;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Robert F. McDonnell, Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, do hereby recognize April 23-27, 2012 as WORK ZONE AWARENESS WEEK in the COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens.
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