AMARILLO, Texas (April 28, 2021) – As part of National Work Zone Awareness Week (April 26-30), Xcel
Energy reminds drivers to slow down and move over for vehicles and workers on the side of the road –
including utility and construction vehicles.
Many drivers slow down or move over when approaching an emergency vehicle on the side of the road.
Unfortunately, the same is not always done for the utility and construction workers repairing our roads
and restoring our gas and electric service, even though these crews are also putting their lives on the line
for the public good.
Today, utility and construction workers around the country will wear orange as part of Go Orange Day,
providing a visible reminder of their support for the families who have been impacted in work zone
incidents.
Most states have passed move-over laws protecting workers by requiring motorists to slow down and
merge away from a vehicle working on the side of the road. Unfortunately, many drivers are unaware that
the law in their state protects utility workers (including most states where Xcel Energy operates), and they
could receive a ticket for not moving over or reducing their speed significantly when passing them. The
safety of the essential workers who ensure we all have good roads and reliable utility services is in the
public’s hands.
“Several of our employees have sustained significant injuries after being hit by vehicles,” said Gary
Lakey, vice president, safety and workforce relations, Xcel Energy. “We want to increase awareness
around this critical safety issue so that everyone can go home safely to their families at the end of each
day.”
National Work Zone Awareness Week promotes the following safe-driving practices when drivers see
emergency, construction or maintenance vehicles working on the side of the road:
- Slow down as you approach the work zone.
- When possible, safely move over to provide workers with a clear buffer lane from traffic.
- If you can’t move over safely, reduce your speed to 20 mph below the posted speed limit as you pass the work zone.
- Never use your mobile device while operating a vehicle.
More information about Work Zone Awareness Week can be found at this link.
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About Xcel Energy
Xcel Energy (NASDAQ: XEL) provides the energy that powers millions of homes and businesses across
eight Western and Midwestern states. Headquartered in Minneapolis, the company is an industry leader
in responsibly reducing carbon emissions and producing and delivering clean energy solutions from a
variety of renewable sources at competitive prices. For more information, visit xcelenergy.com or follow
