MICHIGAN - In the fall of 2020, five road workers were killed and three more were injured in work zone crashes in Michigan. To raise awareness and caution, April 26 to April 30 is National Work Zone Awareness Week.

According to a news release, as the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and other road agencies around the state begin another season of rebuilding and maintaining Michigan's roads and bridges, it is critical that drivers, passengers and workers take work zone safety seriously.

The news release said in 2020, preliminary work zone crash information shows that there were 15 fatalities, 69 serious injuries, 785 injury crashes and 4,900 total crashes.

Michigan is hosting National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW), the annual spring campaign to encourage safe driving through work zones. The news release said this year's theme, "Drive Safe. Work Safe. Save Lives," emphasizes the importance of driving safely and workers making safety a priority to ensure that we all work together to save lives in work zones.

A media event will be held on April 27, featuring transportation, safety and government officials from across the country. Watch it live on MDOT's Livestream channel at https://livestream.com/mdot/2021nwzawkickoff.

The news release said as Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's $3.5 billion Rebuilding Michigan program goes underway, major work will be happening on some of the state's most vital freeways and bridges over the next few years.

Motorists are urged to think about the people doing that work and the risks they face when drivers speed through work zones, the news release said.

"As we deliver on the promise to fix Michigan's roads and bridges, the safety of our road workers is our priority," said Gov. Whitmer. "Michigan’s road workers should be able to safely do their jobs without fear of a crash. We can all help by committing to slowing down and paying attention in work zones as the construction season gets underway."

To show your support for the safety of road workers and everyone on the road, the news release said MDOT and its statewide safety partners are asking you to, "Go Orange" this Wednesday, April 28. At home or in the field, show your support by sharing a photo on social media of you or your team wearing orange, including the hashtags #Orange4Safety and #NWZAW.

"The number one safety feature in any vehicle is the driver," said State Transportation Director Paul C. Ajegba. "Lives can be saved and tragedies avoided if rules are followed and focus is maintained at all times, but we all need to work together."

MDOT reminds everyone to know before you go. Check www.Michigan.gov/Drive for active work zones on state roads (I, M and US routes) before heading out.