Latest updates
Ten names added to National Work Zone Memorial for 2022
The names of 10 men who were killed while working in a roadway work zone have been added to the National Work Zone Memorial. Their deaths took place as long ago as March of 1966 and as recently as November 2021. Each man had reported for another day of work when tragedy struck, leaving behind wives, sons, daughters and parents to grieve. The addition of these 10 men for 2022 brings the total number of lives honored on the National Work Zone Memorial to 1,602. The names of 10 men who were killed while working in a roadway work zone have been added to the National Work Zone Memorial. Their deaths took place as long ago as March of 1966 and as recently as November 2021. Each man had reported for another day of work when tragedy struck, leaving behind wives, sons, daughters and parents to grieve. Below are their names, the dates they died and the locations where they were working. Brandon Franklin Barber, Aug. 30, 2021, Jemison, Ala. Joshua Pittenturf Bishop, May 14, 2020, York, Pa. Vern Hedquist, Oct. 2, 2018, Rogers, Minn. Alexander Michael King, June 7, 2021, Hamilton, Ohio Alfred W. McLaughlin Sr., March 11, 1966, Virginia Beach, Va. James David Miracle, Sept. 8, 2021, Louisville, Ky. Frederick Ned O’Bannon Jr., Nov. 19, 2021, Louisville, Ky. Davyon Desmon-Aereailes Rose, Nov. 7, 2020, Romulus, Mich. Nicholas Andres Sada, Nov. 7, 2020, Romulus, Mich. Guillermo Solis Jr., Oct. 16, 2015, Ocoee, Fla. The addition of these 10 men for 2022 brings the total number of lives honored on the National Work Zone Memorial to 1,602. Names are added once a year. “The National Work Zone Memorial is a somber reminder of the dangers associated with work zones,” said ATSS Foundation Director Lori Diaz. “Our goal is to see the day when we won’t have more names to add. In the meantime, the Memorial honors the lives lost and provides a visual reminder of the importance of paying attention when approaching a work zone.” The National Work Zone Memorial – Respect and Remembrance: Reflections of Life on the Road” was unveiled 20 years ago and is a living tribute to the men, women and children killed as a result of a work zone incident. The Memorial travels to communities across the country to raise awareness of the need to respect and stay safe in America’s roadway work zones. The Memorial exists in two formats—a physical Memorial that is 20 feet wide and 7 feet tall and a virtual Memorial that can be viewed via computer. Both are available for display at events that seek to heighten attention to work zone safety. The traveling Memorial is available for a fee that covers the expenses of shipping and maintenance. An online application is available to request it for an event. For 2022, ATSSA, in partnership with The Foundation, agreed to cover the hosting fee for up to five public agencies to host the traveling Memorial. The agencies must be holding a media event this calendar year and not have previously hosted the Memorial. The 30-minute virtual Memorial is a powerful yet cost-effective option for groups with limited space and resources. The virtual Memorial can be used at both in-person and virtual meetings such as for ATSSA Chapters, civic groups and others wanting to raise awareness. It can be shown before a meeting, during breaks and even as part of a meeting to advance roadway safety. Complete the Virtual Memorial Host Application to utilize it at an upcoming meeting. Names are added to the Memorial each year as a result of the efforts of family, friends and former co-workers who submit them to The Foundation. The Memorial includes the names of roadway workers as well as motorists, pedestrians, law enforcement officers, public safety officials i.e., firefighters and paramedics and children. Details are available outlining the process as well as a form for submitting a name.
Traffic fatalities make historic increase for first nine months of 2021, NHTSA reports
Traffic fatalities increased 12% for the first nine months of 2021 compared to the same period in 2020, marking the biggest percentage increase in the history of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration NHTSA fatality reporting process, which projects fatality data. The Fatality Analysis Reporting System FARS provides statistical projections for traffic fatalities nationwide, looking at the first nine months of the year in this report that provides an early estimate of motor vehicle traffic fatalities. The 12% increase is based on an estimated 31,720 people killed in motor vehicle crashes nationwide in the first nine months of 2021 compared to 28,325 killed in the first nine months of 2020. That is the highest number of fatalities for nine months since 2006. Traffic fatalities increased 12% for the first nine months of 2021 compared to the same period in 2020, marking the biggest percentage increase in the history of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration NHTSA fatality reporting process, which projects fatality data. The Fatality Analysis Reporting System FARS provides statistical projections for traffic fatalities nationwide, looking at the first nine months of the year in this report that provides an early estimate of motor vehicle traffic fatalities. The 12% increase is based on an estimated 31,720 people killed in motor vehicle crashes nationwide in the first nine months of 2021 compared to 28,325 killed in the first nine months of 2020. That is the highest number of fatalities for nine months since 2006. “This dramatic increase is one more reason why it was so critical that Congress pass the bipartisan, safety-focused infrastructure package in November,” ATSSA President & CEO Stacy Tetschner said this morning. “Each day’s delay in pushing vital federal safety funding to state and local governments risks having someone’s child, spouse or another relative not make it home. ATSSA members know that the only acceptable goal is zero when it comes to roadway fatalities, and with last week’s release of the National Roadway Safety Strategy, the U.S. Department of Transportation knows this as well. We stand committed to working with all stakeholders in a shared mission of zero deaths.” Statistics for the entire year are not yet available. Data for all of 2021 is expected to be released in April. The report cites preliminary data reported by the Federal Highway Administration FHWA, which shows an 11.7% increase in vehicle miles traveled VMT in the first 9 months of 2021 compared to the first nine months of 2020. The data shows VMT increased by about 244.0 billion miles. The report also states that nine of the 10 regions NHTSA analyzes are estimated to have increased fatalities for the first nine months of 2021 and half of the regions are estimated to have increases in the fatality rate per 100 million VMT. The region with the biggest percentage increase in fatalities estimated for the first nine months of 2021 is Region 10, which includes Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana, which has an estimated 20% increase. Region 6 New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi and Region 9 California, Arizona and Hawaii both have an estimated 17% increase, the second highest. Region 3 Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Kentucky, North Carolina, West Virginia and Washington, D.C. was the only region projected to have a decrease with a 2% decline in traffic fatalities. In its conclusions, the FARS report released this week notes that “the increased trend in fatality rate per 100 million VMT continued into the first quarter of 2021, but the fatality rate has decreased in the second and third quarters of 2021 compared to 2020.” It also noted that NHTSA continues to gather and finalize data for 2020 and 2021 using police crash reports and other sources and that the final annual report data—not available until 2023—will likely result in a revision of the fatality totals and rates.
FHWA releases guidelines for safety programs under new infrastructure package
Earlier today, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration FHWA released guidelines for the Highway Safety Improvement Program HSIP under the new Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act IIJA. The guidance outlines eligibilities under the HSIP, along with defining guidance for new special rules that fall under the HSIP. While the majority of the HSIP guidance remains intact from the previous highway authorization, ATSSA’s Government Relations team highlighted a few changes to the guidance under the IIJA. Earlier today, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration FHWA released guidelines for the Highway Safety Improvement Program HSIP under the new Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act IIJA. The guidance outlines eligibilities under the HSIP, along with defining guidance for new special rules that fall under the HSIP. While the majority of the HSIP guidance remains intact from the previous highway authorization, ATSSA’s Government Relations team highlighted a few changes to the guidance under the IIJA: IIJA reinstates flex spending to HSIP—The new infrastructure law reinstated a 10% flex rule to HSIP funds, allowing for states to divert funds from HSIP eligible projects to “specified safety projects.” These include public awareness campaigns, research, automated traffic enforcement systems and programs and projects to protect children such as Safe Routes to Schools Vulnerable Road User Safety Special Rule–If vulnerable road users make up 15% or more of total fatalities in a state in a year, that state must dedicate 15% of its HSIP funds the following fiscal year to address the safety of vulnerable road users. Certain pedestrian and bicyclist safety projects could be 100% federally funded. High-Risk Rural Roads HRRR Special Guidance—IIJA places a renewed emphasis on High-Risk Rural Roads. This program would force states to obligate 200% of their FY 2009 set-aside HRRR funds in the upcoming fiscal year if the fatality rate on rural roads increases over the most recent two-year period. These funds would be obligated from the state’s HSIP apportionment. ATSSA will continue to monitor any new guidance and the implementation of the IIJA. Please reach out to the ATSSA Government Relations team at govrelations@atssa.com with any questions.
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Midyear Meeting 2026
Join us Aug. 25-28, 2026, in Grand Rapids, Mich., for the Midyear Meeting. ATSSA members hold committee & council meetings, discuss industry issues & advance roadway safety.
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Where Roadway Safety + Innovation Intersect. ATSSA’s 57th Annual Convention & Traffic Expo is Feb. 5-9, 2027, in Long Beach, California. Join key roadway safety and transportation professionals at this premier event.
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National Work Zone Awareness Week
Show your support of work zone safety awareness by participating in NWZAW 2026, April 20-24, with ATSSA and host Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT).
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