[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 613 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

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118th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 613

 Supporting the designation of the week of April 15 through April 19, 
            2024, as ``National Work Zone Awareness Week''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             March 21, 2024

  Mr. Braun (for himself and Mr. Blumenthal) submitted the following 
             resolution; which was considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Supporting the designation of the week of April 15 through April 19, 
            2024, as ``National Work Zone Awareness Week''.

Whereas 956 work zone fatalities occurred in 2021, according to the Federal 
        Highway Administration (referred to in this preamble as ``FHWA'') and 
        the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (referred to in this 
        preamble as ``NHTSA''), under the Department of Transportation (referred 
        to in this preamble as ``DOT'');
Whereas, of the 956 work zone fatalities that occurred in 2021--

    (1) 778 fatalities were motor vehicle drivers or passengers;

    (2) 173 fatalities were persons on foot or bicyclists; and

    (3) 5 fatalities were listed as occupants of a motor vehicle not in 
transport, unknown occupant type in a motor vehicle in transport, or device 
and person on personal conveyances;

Whereas, according to DOT data from 2021 on work zone fatal traffic crashes by 
        type--

    (1) 206 crashes involved a rear-end collision;

    (2) 291 involved a commercial motor vehicle; and

    (3) 278 fatalities occurred where speeding was a factor;

Whereas 164 pedestrian fatalities occurred in work zones in 2021, according to 
        DOT data;
Whereas, of the 164 pedestrian fatalities that occurred in work zones in 2021--

    (1) 34 fatalities were a construction, maintenance, utility, or 
transportation worker; and

    (2) 130 fatalities were pedestrians other than a construction, 
maintenance, utility, or transportation worker;

Whereas the DOT reported that 42,151 people were injured due to work zone 
        crashes in 2021;
Whereas, according to DOT data from 2021, a total of 108 worker occupational 
        fatalities in road construction sites occurred;
Whereas the DOT reported that between 2020 and 2021, work zone fatalities 
        increased by 10.8 percent while overall roadway fatalities increased by 
        10.3 percent;
Whereas, according to FHWA and NHTSA, while work zones play a critical role in 
        maintaining and upgrading our roads, work zones can also be a major 
        cause of congestion, delay, and traveler dissatisfaction;
Whereas, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, trucks 
        and buses have limited maneuverability and large blind spots that make 
        operating in work zone areas more challenging, leading to a 
        disproportionate number of work zone crashes involving trucks and buses;
Whereas enforcement of work zone speed limits is shown to significantly reduce 
        speeding, aggressive driving, fatalities, and injuries;
Whereas work zone crashes and fatalities deeply impact family, friends, and 
        communities;
Whereas being under the influence of intoxicating substances while being behind 
        the wheel of a motor vehicle increases the likelihood of intrusions into 
        work zones; and
Whereas work zone fatalities are at the highest level since 2006: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) supports the designation of the week of April 15 
        through April 19, 2024, as ``National Work Zone Awareness 
        Week'';
            (2) encourages individuals to educate themselves on the 
        value of training and the importance of best practices with 
        respect to work zone safety;
            (3) encourages individuals to practice work zone safety 
        by--
                    (A) researching their routes ahead of time to avoid 
                work zones when possible;
                    (B) avoiding distractions while driving;
                    (C) obeying road crew flaggers and being aware of 
                and obeying all signs throughout work zones that 
                indicate reduced speeds, lane changes, and other vital 
                information;
                    (D) slowing down when entering a work zone and 
                being aware of road workers;
                    (E) merging into an open lane when instructed to do 
                so when lane closures are present and slowing down and 
                merging over for first responders;
                    (F) maintaining a space cushion when driving behind 
                other vehicles to avoid rear-end crashes; and
                    (G) providing towing and recovery professionals 
                room to facilitate the process of clearing crashes;
            (4) encourages infrastructure owners and operators to 
        deploy work zone protections and technologies such as the Work 
        Zone Data Exchange to make travel on public roads safer for 
        workers and road users; and
            (5) supports the goals and ideals of a ``National Work Zone 
        Awareness Week'' to bring further awareness to worker and 
        driver safety while maneuvering a motor vehicle in work zones.
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