The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) is participating in National Work Zone Awareness Week from April 20-24, joining other states in urging motorists to “Work with Us – move over and slow down” for highway workers. This year’s theme, “Safe Actions Save Lives,” emphasizes that work zone safety is a shared responsibility between drivers and road crews. TDOT Commissioner Will Reid highlighted that while roads are engineered for safety, driver behavior remains critical; 113 TDOT workers have been killed in work zones over the years, underscoring that even one death is too many.

In Tennessee last year, work zones saw 2,432 crashes, resulting in 607 injuries and 16 fatalities. So far this year, there have already been 35 incidents of drivers crashing into TDOT equipment and vehicles, including HELP trucks used in secondary work zones to assist stranded motorists. With spring and summer bringing ideal conditions for construction, repaving, widening projects, and maintenance like litter pickup, work zones are active across the state’s interstates and highways.

Throughout Awareness Week, TDOT is promoting safety through overhead dynamic message signs on interstates in Memphis, Nashville, Chattanooga, and Knoxville. Prominent buildings and bridges will be lit orange statewide, and 113 barrels—one for each fallen TDOT worker—will be displayed in each of the four regions: I-640 East near Exit 1 in Knoxville (Region 1), I-75 NB at Exit 9 in Chattanooga (Region 2), 6601 Centennial Boulevard in Nashville (Region 3), and 601 Benchmark Place in Jackson (Region 4).

Wednesday, April 22, is designated as “Wear Orange Day,” encouraging the public to show support by wearing orange and tagging @myTDOT on social media. TDOT will share photos, infographics, and videos across Facebook, X, and Instagram to raise awareness. The “Work with Us—Move Over, Slow Down” campaign was launched in 2017 following the loss of three employees in just eight months in 2016.

Motorists are encouraged to do their part by checking TDOT SmartWay for real-time information before traveling, securing phones in hands-free devices to avoid distraction, and always moving over or slowing down when approaching vehicles with flashing lights.

More information, including the Work with Us pledge and frequently asked questions about work zones, is available via TDOT’s campaign link here: https://www.tn.gov/tdot/work-with-us.html