FHWA Administrator Victor Mendez joined family members of victims killed in workzone collisions for the national kick-off event Monday in New York City. Hosted by acting New York State Transportation Commissioner Stan Gee in Manhattan's Battery Park, the event also included Tony Kane, AASHTO director of engineering and technical services.

"Our workzone record continues to improve," Mendez said. "Workzone fatalities have fallen for six straight years to their lowest level since 1996. They're down more than 30 percent since 2000."

There were 720 deaths in highway workzones in the United States in 2008, down from 831 in 2007. Data for 2009 is not yet available.

"The real tragedy here is that these are preventable deaths," Kane said. "Most of the people killed in workzone incidents each year die in vehicles. Many of the victims are speeding or distracted drivers and the unfortunate passengers in their vehicles."

This year's slogan, "Workzones Need Your Undivided Attention," is aimed at persuading drivers to keep their eyes on the road and to slow down, especially when approaching and passing through highway construction locations.

Gee stressed the importance of workzone awareness all year.

"This is more than a week-long campaign," he said. "Driving safely, especially in workzones, should be on our minds every day of the year."

Events that took place during National Workzone Awareness Week included at least two states that took part in Operation Orange, a campaign that encourages local businesses, government agencies, and state employees to wear and/or prominently display the color orange as a reminder to drive safely through workzones. Several other states are participated in Operation Drive Smart, an enforcement campaign targeting speeding and aggressive driving.

A list of state DOT events compiled by AASHTO is available at tinyurl.com/NWSAW2010. More information from the National Workzone Safety Information Clearinghouse at tinyurl.com/NWAW2010.

AASHTO released a 30-second public service announcement to urge motorists to slow down through highway construction areas. The PSA was produced by AASHTO's Transportation TV and is available to watch and share on YouTube at tinyurl.com/AASHTO-WZvideo.

Video coverage of Monday's event in New York is also available at www.TransportationTV.org.