“Last year was absolutely tragic for our TDOT family; three hard-working employees were struck and killed by passing motorists,” TDOT Commissioner John Schroer said in a press release. “Something has to change. We have hundreds of employees across the state out on our highways each day, trying to improve the lives of Tennesseans. They deserve to make it home to their families. We need motorists in Tennessee to work with us by moving over and slowing down when you see TDOT workers or first responders working along our interstates and state routes.”
TDOT held a ceremony at the Smith County Welcome Center to unveil the name of the third worker killed in the line of duty in 2016, J.R. Rogers, on TDOT’s fallen worker memorial monument. As a show of support to Roger’s family and all TDOT workers, buildings and structures in Tennessee — the Tennessee State Capitol, the Metro Courthouse, the Korean War Veterans Memorial Bridge, and Big River Crossing in Memphis — were lit in orange during Work Zone Safety Week. Work zone safety messages were also being displayed on TDOT’s overhead Dynamic Message Signs on interstates in Memphis, Nashville, Chattanooga and Knoxville. There were also special displays across the state to honor the 112 TDOT workers lost in the line of duty since 1948.
TDOT produced the following public service announcement to raise awareness of the dangers highway workers face.
