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Department of Transportation
Office of the Secretary
700 E. Broadway Ave
Pierre, SD 57501
Phone: 605/773-3265
FAX: 605/773-3921
For Immediate Release: April 6, 2007
Contact: Emilie Miller, (605) 773-5103
National Work Zone Memorial remembers those who lost their lives in construction zones
PIERRE, S.D. – Each year, hundreds of people are killed in construction work zones across the country. In 2002, a national memorial was unveiled to pay tribute to the men, women and children who lost their lives. The South Dakota Department of Transportation is offering assistance to those who would like to memorialize their loved one.
“Right now, there is no one from South Dakota listed on the Memorial. I would like to say that’s because we haven’t had any work zone fatalities, but unfortunately that isn’t the case,” says Emilie Miller, SDDOT’s communication manager. “We want to let people know this is an option for them. My office is willing to provide information and assistance in submitting their loved one’s name for consideration.”
The American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA) asks departments of transportation nationwide for annual submissions to the Memorial. Miller says a common misunderstanding is that the National Work Zone Memorial is only for highway, law enforcement or emergency personnel killed in work zones.
“The majority of people killed in work zones are drivers and passengers. Each year we encourage people to slow down and watch out for highway workers, but those efforts are intended to keep motorists safe too,” says Miller.
Names are listed on the Memorial in the order in which they were received, not chronologically or alphabetically. A small icon appears next to each name denoting Work Zone Worker, Motorist, Law Enforcement Officer, Public Safety Official or Child.
Miller encourages anyone interested in learning more about the National Work Zone Memorial to contact her at (605) 773-5103.
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