Picture this: a little girl drawing pictures at home, waiting for her mom to come back from work. Her mom is out in the street, not as a pedestrian, but as a construction worker, navigating moving traffic, heavy machinery, and unpredictable drivers. A moment of carelessness on the road could mean she doesn’t make it home.
This emotional reality is at the heart of NYC’s 2025 Work Zone Awareness Week, where the city unveiled a powerful new billboard campaign. The winning design, by Taino Mendez of Alfred E. Smith Career and Technical High School, reads: “Slow Down! My Mom Works Here. Your Caution, Her Safety.” It now stands high above Ditmars Boulevard in Astoria, reminding all drivers that work zones are filled with people, not just projects.
Construction Season Is Here, and So Is the Risk
According to the NYC Department of Transportation (NYC DOT), there were 12 work zone intrusions last year, resulting in five injuries. Since 2009, 57 NYC DOT workers have been injured in work zone incidents, and five have died. These numbers reflect not just statistics, but families changed forever by a preventable moment of inattention.
That’s why NYC DOT, alongside the Department of Design and Construction (DDC), Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), and other city partners, is calling for greater awareness and driver caution.
“Slow down and save a life. It’s that simple,” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Jeff Roth.
Are you an injured construction worker who wants to learn more about why it’s important to hire an experienced construction accident attorney in case of an accident? Read more on our blog: “Why It’s Important To Hire A Construction Accident Attorney”
When Safety Fails, Advocacy Begins
At William Schwitzer & Associates, we don’t teach safety protocols, we defend injured workers when those protocols break down. If a work zone wasn’t properly marked, if reckless driving led to an injury, or if safety regulations weren’t enforced, injured workers deserve support, not silence.
Our role isn’t to issue citations or training. It’s to ensure that injured individuals can:
- Receive the medical care they need
- Recover lost wages from time missed at work
- Get legal guidance to understand their rights
What You Can Do
Whether you’re a driver, a project manager, or a passerby, your actions can save lives:
- Obey posted speed limits in work zones. Slowing down not only protects workers but could prevent serious accidents that leave an injured construction worker fighting for their future.
- Stay alert and avoid distractions. A single moment of inattention can forever change the life of an injured construction worker and their family.
- Assume that someone’s family member is working behind every orange cone. Every injured construction worker represents a story of hardship that could have been prevented with extra care and responsibility.
Supporting the efforts to reduce injuries is essential, and Work Zone Awareness Week is a powerful reminder of the real people, every injured construction worker, who rely on drivers to do the right thing every single day.
Standing With Workers, Always
WSAT Law stands behind every initiative, like Work Zone Awareness Week, that seeks to protect our city’s workforce. And when safety measures fall short, we’re here to step in as legal advocates for the injured construction worker.
If you or someone you love has been injured in a work zone incident, contact William Schwitzer & Associates at (212) 683-3800. We fight for the compensation and justice workers deserve.
Important:
This information is only a general guide and is NOT LEGAL ADVICE. Each case is different. Images used are conceptual illustrations. The best option is to call our offices for specialized help. Call (212) 683-3800 to contact William Schwitzer & Associates for legal assistance.
