[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 50 (Thursday, March 21, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Page S2520]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SENATE RESOLUTION 613--SUPPORTING THE DESIGNATION OF THE WEEK OF APRIL 
  15 THROUGH APRIL 19, 2024, AS ``NATIONAL WORK ZONE AWARENESS WEEK''

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

                              S. Res. 613

       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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