The Port Arthur News
BEAUMONT — A special memorial to remember those who have lost their lives in work zone accidents will make an appearance in Texas next week at a news conference in Beaumont, the third of five scheduled events statewide.
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), along with Rep. Deshotel and its transportation partners, the American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA) and construction contractor CH2M Hill, is sponsoring the 20-foot national memorial wall that holds the names of motorists and construction workers who have lost their lives in work zone accidents in recent years.
Nationally, there are over 800 fatalities and 40,000 injuries in work zone-related crashes each year. Those lives lost not only include construction workers, but also motorists, pedestrians, law enforcement officers, public safety officials and children.
In 2008, the Beaumont District had six work zone fatalities and 802 crashes. The news conference is an opportunity to remember the victims and to remind Texas drivers to slow down and pay attention in work zones.
