In an effort to raise awareness about road safety, especially in construction zones, the Memphis Grizzlies are dedicating their game against the Golden State Warriors to the cause. This event marks the kick-off of National Work Zone Awareness, which will run from April 21 to April 25, a move aimed to signal the onset of the construction season and the advance need to promote safer driving habits in these high-risk areas, as reported by the Tennessee Department of Transportation.
"We are excited to have Grizz Nation amplify our work zone safety message," Deputy Governor and Tennessee Department of Transportation Commissioner Butch Eley said, according to a statement obtained by Tennessee Department of Transportation. The partnership highlights the collective responsibility of both motorists and road workers to actively ensure everyone's safety. Eley's comments reflect a mission to not only to make a difference but also to safeguard a community's most vulnerable on the front lines of infrastructure maintenance and expansion.
Mascots Dottie and Trashsquatch, from the "Nobody Trashes Tennessee" campaign, are set to cheer at the game and encourage fans to participate in the "Work With Us" pledge. Attendees of the game will also receive a special rally towel as a keepsake and a reminder of the work zone safety campaign. This initiative comes after a somber statistic: Since records began in 1948, 113 workers have lost their lives while on the job in Tennessee. In a punctuated span during 2016 alone, Tennessee Department of Transportation lost three workers in a mere eight months.
The "Work With Us—Move Over, Slow Down" safety campaign was launched in 2017, a responsive measure to the aforementioned tragedies and a sustained effort to promote year-long work zone vigilance. It appeals to drivers to adhere to a simple creed: pay attention, move over, and slow down for all vehicles donning flashing lights. Noncompliance with the Move Over Law, passed in 2006, can lead to up to 30 days in jail and a fine up to $500. For those looking to formally commit to road safety in work zones, a pledge can be taken at the Tennessee Department of Transportation website.
