Unitil Corporation (Unitil.com), a provider of natural gas and electricity in New England, urges drivers to slow down and exercise extra caution near utility and roadside work areas as National Work Zone Awareness Week kicks off April 20.
The campaign, held April 20 – 24, 2026, raises awareness of work zone dangers each spring, coinciding with the start of construction season. However, roadside hazards remain a year-round concern for utility workers.
This year’s campaign theme, “Safe actions save lives,” underscores the importance of driver awareness in protecting roadway workers.
“This is an important public awareness campaign to help everyone understand they play a role in keeping motorists and roadway workers safe year-round,” said Unitil’s External Affairs Manager, Amanda Vicinanzo. “Utility crews are often working feet away from moving traffic while maintaining essential electric and gas systems. When drivers slow down and stay alert in work zones, they help prevent tragedies and keep both workers and the traveling public safe.”
According to the Federal Highway Administration, work zones experience 800 to 900 fatalities each year. Approximately 80% of these deaths involve drivers and passengers in crashes caused by distracted driving or speeding. In 2023, the National Work Zone Safety Information Clearinghouse reported 899 deaths from 110,000 work zone crashes nationwide. This year, eight people died in Massachusetts work zones, two in Maine, and none in New Hampshire.
Motorists are encouraged to learn more about National Work Zone Awareness Week and how to help keep work zones safe by visiting workzonesafety.org.
