California kicks off national work zone awareness month.

In April 2008, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) kicked off National Work Zone Awareness Month with a ceremony honoring the 170 Caltrans employees who died in the line of duty since 1924, including three who died in 2007. The ceremony marked the first time that the national event has taken place outside Washington, DC.

As part of this year's event, transportation agencies across the United States are adopting the Caltrans campaign slogan, "Slow for the Cone Zone." The goal is to encourage motorists to slow down when driving in work zones.

The ceremony featured a temporary memorial of 170 orange safety cones arranged into a 13-meter (45-foot)-wide caution sign to signify the ultimate sacrifice made by each fallen Caltrans worker The event also included a ceremonial dove release and wreath dedication performed by the Caltrans Honor Guard.

Transportation experts and leaders from Federal and State government and industry attended the ceremony Sponsors included FIIWA, the American Traffic Safety Services Association, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), the American Road & Transportation Builders Association, the Associated General Contractors of America, and the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia DOTs.