Work Zone Safety Week April 20-24, Drivers Urged to Slow
Summary
The New Mexico Department of Transportation announces National Work Zone Awareness Week, April 20-24, 2026, with the theme "Safe actions save lives." The campaign urges drivers to reduce speed, eliminate distractions, and follow posted signs in active construction zones statewide. Go Orange Day will be observed on Wednesday, April 22, and New Mexicans are encouraged to wear orange to honor roadway workers and families affected by work zone crashes.
What changed
The NM DOT published a press release announcing National Work Zone Awareness Week, scheduled for April 20-24, 2026, with the theme "Safe actions save lives." The announcement encourages drivers to reduce speed, eliminate distractions, and follow posted signs when traveling through active construction areas. Message boards statewide will display safety reminders, and social media will share work zone safety tips throughout the week.
The announcement applies primarily to drivers traveling through New Mexico work zones during the awareness week and beyond. Construction and transportation companies operating in these zones should reinforce safe driving practices with their employees. Public awareness campaigns typically have no compliance obligations but may influence future enforcement priorities around work zone violations.
Archived snapshot
Apr 18, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
Safe actions in work zones save lives
Apr 17, 2026 | Press Release
National Work Zone Awareness Week is April 20-24
SANTA FE — As construction season ramps up across New Mexico, orange barrels are appearing statewide and the New Mexico Department of Transportation is urging drivers to slow down and stay alert during National Work Zone Awareness Week, April 20–24.
The annual campaign highlights the importance of safe driving in work zones and the risks faced by roadway crews. This year’s theme, “Safe actions save lives,” underscores the simple choices drivers can make to prevent crashes.
In the past year, several work zone incidents in New Mexico have resulted in serious injuries, reinforcing the need for increased attention and caution. Drivers are encouraged to reduce speed, eliminate distractions, and follow all posted signs when traveling through active construction areas. As statewide construction activity increases, responsible driving behaviors play a vital role in protecting both workers and motorists.
“Bottom line, we need people to stay alert in work zones,” said Acting Cabinet Secretary David D. Quintana, P.E. “Simple actions like slowing down and putting your phone away can save lives.”
Throughout the week, message boards across New Mexico will display work zone safety reminders. NMDOT social media will be sharing work zone focused safety tips, and the lobby of the office buildings will feature remembrance cones honoring roadway workers who have lost their lives in work zones.
Go Orange Day will take place on Wednesday, April 22, and New Mexicans are encouraged to wear orange to show support for roadway workers and to honor families who have lost loved ones in work zone crashes.
More information is available on the NMDOT work zone safety page.
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