For Immediate Release: Friday, April 18 2014

Contact: Craig Smith, 605.995.8129

SDDOT Holding Regional Safety Awareness Day

MITCHELL, S.D. – The South Dakota Department of Transportation is holding a regional Safety Awareness Day on April 22 in Mitchell to discuss safety of our employees and of the traveling public.

Topics of discussion will include personal responsibility, distracted driving, developing safe working practices, and recognizing employees that have demonstrated safe work habits by driving 150,000+ miles with no accidents or by working 30+ years with no personal injuries.

SDDOT employees are exposed to high risk locations while working to provide a safer highway system by plowing snow, maintaining safe roads, providing traffic signing, mowing, or reconstructing highways.

The Department of Transportation and Graphic Packaging International of Mitchell have partnered with Hendrickson Trailer Commercial Vehicle Systems, Toshiba America Business Solutions, Beck and Hofer Construction and Morris Equipment to host bestselling author Chad Hymas on April 21 and 22.

The Wall Street Journal calls Hymas, "one of the 10 most inspirational people in the world," and the department is looking forward to hearing his safety message.

As road construction begins, it is important for the department to educate and motivate staff to continually be aware of safety and potential safety hazards in their daily job responsibilities.

These efforts will make South Dakota’s highways safer for both the SDDOT workers and traveling public.

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