Joint Statement by the State Troopers Fraternal Association, Senator Paul Sarlo (D) 36^th Legislative District, and Donna Setaro, Move Over Law Advocate Reminding Motorists that the Week of April 11 through April 15 is National Work Zone Awareness Week.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 11, 2022

Media Contacts:                                            

Wayne Blanchard                                           Office of Senator Paul Sarlo

State Troopers Fraternal Association           201-804-8118

732-528-6388                                                  SenSarlo@njleg.org

wblanchard@stfa.org

As the spring and summer weather break, and infrastructure initiatives such as highway resurfacing, bridge repairs, and other projects will commence across the state.  These projects place construction workers and state troopers in work zones causing risk of significant injury or death if motorists do not pay attention to work zone safety signs and traffic control devices such as cones, sign boards, and marked state police vehicles with their emergency lights activated.

The STFA, Senator Paul Sarlo, and Donna Setaro, the leading Move Over Law advocate wish to call the motoring public’s attention to the fact that this week highlights National Work Zone Awareness Week from April 11 until April 15.  National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW) is an annual spring campaign held at the start of the construction season to encourage safe driving through highway work zones.  The concept of work zone safety awareness begin after a campaign was started by members of the Viginia DOT in 1997 and was expanded by the California DOT in 1999 with their “Slow Down for the Cone Zone” initiative.  The first official NWZAW event was held in the year 2000 in Springfield, Virginia, according to NWZAW.ORG.

“The men and women of our building trades, and in particular highway construction workers are the fabric of our nation,” said Wayne Blanchard, President of the State Troopers Fraternal Association, which represents over 1800 rank and file state troopers.  “These men and women give their blood, sweat, and tears so that our state has safe and efficient infrastructure.  We are asking drivers to educate themselves during this week of work zone awareness as to the risks these workers along with our troopers undertake while working on our state’s highways.”  “Beyond that we ask that drivers each and every day slow down, put down distracting devices such as cell phones, and proceed with caution when encountering construction zones on our highways.”  “Please be considerate and give our construction workers and troopers a chance to return home safely form work each day.”

“Highway construction workers perform some of the most dangerous jobs in America,” said Senator Paul Sarlo (D-Wood-Ridge), who is a licensed Professional Engineer and an executive of a highway construction company.  “Unfortunately, during my career, I’ve had to notify families whose loved ones were either killed or seriously injured while working on highway construction projects when they were hit by careless or drunk drivers.  We need to do everything we possibly can to protect these workers by increasing the public’s awareness of slowing down and moving over in highway work zones.”

“Taking your eyes off the road for a second could make a difference as to whether a worker goes home to their families,” said Donna Setaro, mother of fallen Trooper Marc Castellano and a Move Over Law Advocate.  “When approaching road work areas remember to slow down, follow the posted speed limit signs and help save lives.” ” s an annual spring campaign held at the start of construction season to enrage driving through highway work zones Zone Awareness Week (NWZA