Every Spring season motorists see orange safety cones set up for local road repair, maintenance and construction projects.

In order to call attention to the hazards, National Work Safety Zone Awareness Week is slated for April 6-9.

“This week is more than catchy slogans, statistics and gimmicks; it’s about protecting those who risk their lives in the public right-a-ways for the good of the general public,” said Bill Tanner, City of Mesquite Public Works Director.

“We are asking drivers to please take this opportunity to spread the message of work zone safety awareness.”

National Work Zone Safety Week was created in 1999 to increase public awareness of work zone safety issues through a national media campaign.

In 2007, there were 835 fatalities in construction / maintenance work zones in the United States.

Even more disconcerting is the fact that of the 835 fatalities, more than 30% of the motorists had a 0.08 blood alcohol content or greater.