The pandemic kept countless people off the roads but that didn’t mean roadway workers were safer. In fact, reports from across the country showed many of the drivers out during that time took the opportunity to accelerate with some traveling in excess of 100 mph.

That put roadway workers, who were still on the job, at greater danger and some paid the ultimate price.

The American Traffic Safety Services (ATSS) Foundation honors the men and women killed in roadway work zone incidents by including their names on the National Work Zone Memorial. The list of names is updated each year with the submissions  received by Dec. 1.

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. (Aug. 9, 2021) – The American Traffic Safety Services Foundation is pleased to announce donations totaling $3,500 from Enterprise Holdings Foundation, which will be used to support the Roadway Worker Memorial Scholarship program.

The ATSS Foundation received $2,000 in June from the Enterprise Holdings Foundation at the request of Massana Construction Inc. of Tyrone, Ga., in memory of Michael Keyser Sr. and his son, Nathaniel Keyser, employees who were killed as a result of a work zone incident on Aug. 8, 2017, in Forney, Texas.

The ATSS Foundation received $1,500 in July from the Enterprise Holdings Foundation at the request of D2K Traffic Safety Inc. of Naperville, Ill.

Horizon Signal Technologies Inc. raised $53,000 for The ATSS Foundation through the auction of two trailer-mounted portable traffic signals, setting a fundraising record.

Street Smart Rental, based in Lino Lakes, Minn., made the winning bid of $49,000, with Horizon Signal adding $1,000 to bring the bid total to an even $50,000. In addition, GP Roadway Solutions of Honolulu, Hawaii, which also participated in the auction, donated $3,000, bringing the grand total to $53,000, said Lori Diaz, director of The ATSS Foundation.

Horizon Signal donated 100% of the proceeds from the May auction to The Foundation, which provides education about work zone safety and supports the families of people killed or permanently disabled in work zone incidents.

The Heart of America ATSSA Chapter is hosting a fundraiser for The ATSS Foundation during the Midyear Meeting in Kansas City, Mo. in August.

Enjoy pickleball, cornhole and other yard games while dining at Chicken N Pickle, a popular Kansas City restaurant that combines food and recreation. The HOA-ATSSA event provides opportunities for networking with other roadway safety professionals. Transportation will be available to and from the host hotel.

Net proceeds benefit The Foundation, which is the charitable arm of ATSSA. It was formed in 1988 with the core purpose to promote roadway safety through charitable giving and public awareness programs.

The National Work Zone Memorial makes roadway safety personal by inscribing the names of people killed in work zone incidents. Each person left behind loved ones and co-workers who grieve the loss.

Members can help raise awareness of the toll of work zone incidents by hosting the tribute formally known as “The National Work Zone Memorial - Respect and Remembrance: Reflections of Life on the Road.”

The Foundation encourages ATSSA members, ATSSA chapters, state departments of transportation (DOTs) and industry leaders to host the Memorial at events. It is now available in two formats – a traveling Memorial and a virtual Memorial.