Georgia Joins States Throughout the Southeast to 'Go Orange' for National Work Zone Safety Awareness Week

ATLANTA, April 16, 2010 — In recognition of National Work Zone Safety Awareness Week, April 19-23, Georgia will join with states throughout the Southeast for the 'Go Orange' campaign that emphasizes work zone safety. Georgia's 11 Visitor Information Centers have planned a variety of activities, all designed to bring awareness to the 'Go Orange' campaign, ultimately encouraging drivers in the state to take special precautions while driving near work zones, areas typically highlighted by orange warning cones. 'Driver safety, particularly in and around active work zones, is paramount to the success of tourism in Georgia,' said Kevin Langston, Deputy Commissioner for Tourism for the Georgia Department of Economic Development. '11 million travelers stopped at the state's Visitor Information Centers last year, so it is the perfect venue to promote National Work Zone Safety Awareness Week to locals and visitors.' The Visitor Information Centers will also work with local Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) offices throughout Georgia during this week-long observance.  According to GDOT, 56 Georgia DOT workers have died in work zone accidents since 1973. During a separate observance, GDOT will memorialize these employees by placing 56 construction warning cones outside the North Avenue entrance to the department's general office building in Midtown Atlanta. Drivers in communities throughout Georgia will see plenty of orange during the week's scheduled events and activities. In Valdosta, the Visitor Information Center will join with the local DOT office to caution drivers through a series of unusual activities featuring the local Chick-fil-A cow dressed in an orange hard hat and DOT vest.  Local Georgia State Patrol officers will be on hand to address questions or concerns from drivers, and to help promote work zone traffic laws. Visitor Information Centers in other areas including Columbus, West Point, Plains, Tallapoosa, Sylvania, Savannah, Augusta, Lavonia, Ringgold and Kingsland have all planned 'Go Orange' activities that range from question-and-answer sessions with local law enforcement officers regarding work zone traffic laws to orange-themed giveaways, safety displays and other activities designed to promote National Work Zone Safety Awareness Week and overall driver safety. For a complete list of local activities, please contact Stefanie Paupeck via email at [email protected]. The Georgia DOT warns drivers that the arrival of spring and warmer weather, coupled with projects being constructed as a result of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, means an increase in highway construction and heightens the risk for Georgia motorists and GDOT workers. For more information about Georgia's recognition of National Work Zone Safety Awareness Week, visit http://www.dot.ga.gov/workzonesafety. The Georgia Department of Economic Development is the state's sales and marketing arm, the lead agency for attracting new business investment, encouraging the expansion of existing industry and small businesses, locating new markets for Georgia products, attracting tourists to Georgia, and promoting the state as a location for film, music and digital entertainment projects, as well as planning and mobilizing state resources for economic development. For more information, visit www.Georgia.org.