Integrating wildlife patterns into roadway plans helps save lives Integrating wildlife patterns into roadway plans helps save lives Summer issue of Roadway Safety magazine explores this lifesaving strategy Pam / Wednesday, August 9, 2023 0 5312 Article rating: 4.8 With elk, mule deer and pronghorn antelope among the many animals trekking across Wyoming, the state’s Department of Transportation knows the importance of being attuned to their daily movements and seasonal migrations. That information is factored into new road projects to help save the lives of both humans and animals. The Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program included as part of the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act (IIJA) is a new source of funding available to aid such mitigation efforts. The Summer issue of ATSSA’s Roadway Safety magazine, now available online, lays out the cost of human-animal collisions across the nation and examines the details of the program to help members understand how they can become involved. Check out this article and more in the latest issue of Roadway Safety magazine. Read more
National Work Zone Awareness Week official kickoff hosted by MoDOT National Work Zone Awareness Week official kickoff hosted by MoDOT Maria Robertson / Tuesday, April 18, 2023 0 3221 Article rating: No rating The National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW) kickoff event was hosted today by the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT). The event was held overlooking the new Lance Cpl. Leon Deraps Interstate 70 westbound bridge over the Missouri river near Rocheport, Mo. During this year’s NWZAW, Gloria Shepherd, executive director for the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) joined MoDOT officials in reminding drivers to keep highway workers safe as construction season. Read more
Work zone traffic fatalities rise nearly 11% Work zone traffic fatalities rise nearly 11% Newly released data shows 108 roadway workers killed in 2021 Pam / Thursday, April 13, 2023 0 6505 Article rating: 1.0 Fatalities in roadway work zones increased nearly 11% from 2020 to 2021, with deaths rising from 863 to 956, according to newly released federal data. Drivers and passengers accounted for 778 of the 956 fatalities for 2021, data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) shows. “The continuing increase in work zone fatalities drives home the importance of National Work Zone Awareness Week, which begins on Monday,” said ATSSA President & CEO Stacy Tetschner. “We encourage every driver to be vigilant as they approach work zones and travel through them. This time of year sees a surge in work zones on the nation’s roadways so it’s important for everyone to recognize they play a role in work zone safety and to work with us.” Read more
ATSSA’s president will discuss NWZAW on Transport Topics Radio ATSSA’s president will discuss NWZAW on Transport Topics Radio Catch Stacy Tetschner live on Saturday at 1 p.m. ET or via three rebroadcasts on SiriusXM Pam / Wednesday, April 12, 2023 0 4684 Article rating: No rating ATSSA President & CEO Stacy Tetschner will be the guest on Transport Topics Radio this Saturday to discuss roadway safety in conjunction with National Work Zone Awareness Week, which runs April 17-21. The Road Dog Trucking radio program airs live at 1 p.m. Saturday and rebroadcasts at 11 p.m. Saturday, and noon and 9 p.m. Sunday. All times are Eastern Time. Tetschner will speak during the first ½-hour segment of the two-hour program, which airs on SiriusXM Radio, Channel 146. Read more
Everyone plays a role in work zone safety Everyone plays a role in work zone safety Work with us during National Work Zone Awareness Week to protect workers, motorists Pam / Wednesday, April 5, 2023 0 7509 Article rating: 5.0 FREDERICKSBURG, Va. (April 5, 2023) – The recent tragedy near Baltimore, Md., where six roadway workers were killed when one vehicle apparently collided with another before crashing into their work zone demonstrates the tremendous risk workers face each day while seeking to earn a living. “These six individuals went to work that day simply to do their part to provide safe highways for the motoring public. But they didn’t make it home to their families, who are now left to grieve as they face life without them,” said ATSSA President & CEO Stacy Tetschner. “The roadway safety industry does its best to provide safe workspaces for its personnel and continually looks for new strategies to prevent such tragedies but the fact is, everyone plays a role in work zone safety and we need everyone to work with us.” National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW) was established more than two decades ago to increase attention to the need for motorists to exercise caution when approaching and passing through roadway work zones. In 2020, the most recent year for which statistics are available, 857 people were killed in work zones with another 44,240 injured, according to the National Work Zone Safety Information Clearinghouse. Read more
ATSSA members make a difference on Capitol Hill ATSSA members make a difference on Capitol Hill Play an advocacy role at this year’s Legislative Briefing & Fly-In, April 18-19 Pam / Monday, March 27, 2023 0 6903 Article rating: No rating Carolinas ATSSA Chapter members Ben Capel and Dane Alsabrook, have been making a difference for roadway safety for years by taking their message directly to Capitol Hill legislators during ATSSA’s Legislative Briefing & Fly-In. Join them in the nation’s capital this year and play a role in advocating for roadway safety through meetings with your senator, representative or a member of their staff. Alsabrook, with PPG in Greensboro, N.C., said he is sold on the process of delivering the roadway safety message directly to Congressional leaders. And Capel, with Guardway Corp. in Charlotte, said long-term connections are key to gaining influence with lawmakers. Read more
Work zone safety and awareness more critical than ever Work zone safety and awareness more critical than ever ATSSA reiterates need for driver attention in work zones following six recent deaths Pam / Monday, March 27, 2023 0 4501 Article rating: No rating ATSSA President & CEO Stacy Tetschner expressed his condolences to the families who lost loved ones in last week’s tragic work zone incident in Baltimore County, Md., in which six people were killed. “ATSSA is deeply saddened by yet another tragedy that resulted in the loss of essential workers within our industry. More important than being workers, these individuals had families and loved ones they did not return home to. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones of Sybil Lee Dimaggio, Carlos Orlando Villatoro Escobar, Jose Armando Escobar, Rolando Ruiz, Mahlon Simmons II and Mahlon Simmons III.” The six workers were killed March 22 in Maryland while working to improve a roadway and ensure the safety of all road users. “This devastating event serves as a stark reminder of the importance of work zone safety and the risks faced by roadway construction workers every day. It is crucial that the industry and the driving public come together to prevent future tragedies like this one from occurring,” Tetschner said. Read more
Senators introduce resolution recognizing NWZAW 2023 Senators introduce resolution recognizing NWZAW 2023 Resolution lists steps for motorists to practice work zone safety Pam / Wednesday, March 15, 2023 0 14239 Article rating: 5.0 Inspired by the death of an Indiana traffic control flagger, Senators Mike Braun (R-IN) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) this week introduced a resolution to recognize National Work Zone Awareness Week, which takes place April 17-21. Ben Fisher was struck and killed in 2019 while working for a traffic control company on Indiana State Road 13, according to a statement from Braun’s office. The statement also notes the increase in work zone fatalities nationwide since 2006 and the goal of increasing awareness of the hazards of work zones for drivers, workers and pedestrians, and the value of training. “Far too many road workers and emergency servicemen are injured and killed each year by automobile drivers. Ensuring the safety of these essential men and women is a no-brainer, and I’m excited to join Sen. Blumenthal to introduce legislation that raises awareness about making America’s roads less hazardous for everyone,” Braun said in announcing the resolution. Read more
Summer issue of Roadway Safety explores supply chain challenges, innovations Summer issue of Roadway Safety explores supply chain challenges, innovations NWZAW member photos and the Memorial’s 20th anniversary also featured Pam / Wednesday, July 27, 2022 0 24281 Article rating: No rating The Summer issue of Roadway Safety magazine is now online and focuses on work zone awareness efforts nationwide. From the national event in Virginia to member photos from across the country to expert insights into planning a National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW) event, the magazine addresses this key industry safety effort. Plus, this issue celebrates the 20th anniversary of the National Work Zone Memorial, offers insights about supply chain challenges, and delves into the pitfalls of gas tax suspensions. Check out three tools to help protect roadway workers on the job and much more in the Summer issue of Roadway Safety magazine, the flagship publication of the American Traffic Safety Services Association. Read more
Work zone victim’s daughter urges motorists to drive responsibly Work zone victim’s daughter urges motorists to drive responsibly VDOT hosts National Work Zone Awareness Week official kickoff in Hampton, Va. Pam / Tuesday, April 12, 2022 0 5844 Article rating: 5.0 Cameron Hutt talked about her father during the National Work Zone Awareness Week national kickoff event this afternoon but much of what she shared she learned secondhand. Cameron’s father, Chris Hutt, was killed in a work zone incident when she was in kindergarten. Before his death at age 33, he taught her how to swim, how to tie her shoelaces and her right from her left. He was a loving father and a good provider but he didn’t get to see the birth of his youngest child or watch the other two grow up because of what Cameron called “the carelessness of two people.” Read more
4Dec2023 Make lasting connections at ATSSA’s Convention & Traffic Expo Monday, December 4, 2023 Read more