Honoring the Legacy of Zach Morisette: A Call to Drive with Purpose as National Work Zone Awareness Week Concludes
As National Work Zone Awareness Week draws to a close, we are reminded of the profound responsibility each of us carries every time we get behind the wheel. The safety of our roadways does not rest solely in the hands of transportation departments or construction crews—it is shared by every driver who passes through work zones. Driving cautiously, attentively, and respectfully isn’t just a good practice—it’s a matter of life and death.
This week, we honor not just the principle of safe driving, but the people whose lives have been forever changed by a lack of it. We remember and celebrate the life of Zach Morisette, a teammate, a public servant, and a dedicated professional who gave his all in service to his community. In 2020, while performing maintenance work in the field, Zach was tragically struck by a vehicle. His death was a devastating loss to his family, his colleagues, and everyone who had the privilege of working alongside him.
Zach embodied the spirit of service—he was reliable, hardworking, and deeply committed to the mission of keeping our roads safe and functioning for the public good. His loss serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers that road crews face daily, often while drivers speed by, distracted or unaware of the lives in close proximity to their tires.
He was not alone. Every year, dozens of road workers across the country are injured or killed in work zones. These are not statistics—they are fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, friends, and coworkers. They are the people who brave the elements, the long hours, and the risks to keep our infrastructure running smoothly. And all too often, their stories end not with applause or retirement, but with tragedy.
This week is about raising awareness, yes—but it is also about changing behavior. It’s about remembering that every cone, every sign, every flashing light is there to protect someone’s life. And that someone has a family waiting at home. Someone like Zach.
So as we wrap up National Work Zone Awareness Week, we ask each and every driver:
Slow down. Put your phone away. Follow posted signs. Stay alert. Respect the cone.
Drive every day like your life—and the lives of those around you—depends on it, because it truly does.
Please join us in a moment of silence to remember Zach Morisette and all of the fallen road workers whose lives were cut short in the line of duty. May their dedication and sacrifice never be forgotten—and may we honor them not just in word, but in action.