As road construction activity resumes across Nevada following the July 4th holiday weekend, the Nevada Chapter Associated General Contractors (AGC) is reinforcing its ongoing public safety campaign, “Respect the Cone: My family needs me home.”
The campaign reminds drivers that behind every construction cone is a man or woman with a family waiting for them at home.
The organization says the timing is critical as work begins this week on the Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) of Washoe County’s Arrowcreek Parkway/Wedge Rehabilitation Project.
Drivers will encounter new traffic control measures during construction and are urged to slow down in work zones to prevent crashes.
The campaign addresses increasing dangers faced by roadway workers.
According to the AGC’s latest Work Zone Awareness Survey for Nevada, more than half of the state’s road and highway workers report feeling more at risk of work zone crashes than they did a year ago.
Speeding and distracted driving remain the top safety concerns.
State data shows more than 7,100 crashes occurred in Nevada work zones between 2019 and 2023, resulting in 31 deaths involving both workers and drivers.
The period between Memorial Day and Labor Day, known as the “Critical 100,” is the most hazardous driving season nationwide. It coincides with peak road construction activity, increasing risks for crews and drivers alike.
Highway crashes historically rise around summer holidays due to increased traffic volume, more teen drivers on the road, alcohol consumption, and distracted driving.
Construction zones add to the danger when drivers fail to heed reduced speeds, lane shifts, closures, and other traffic controls.
The public safety campaign features real Nevada construction workers and their families in testimonials and images, emphasizing that work zone safety affects entire families. Drivers in Reno, Sparks, Carson City, and other Northern Nevada areas will continue seeing the campaign’s safety messages on highway billboards, movie theater ads, digital and social media, signage in active work zones, and public service announcements.
For more information or to join the conversation, visit RespectTheConeNV.com
The “Respect the Cone: My family needs me home” campaign is led by the Nevada Chapter AGC in partnership with Granite Construction, Q&D Construction, Sierra Nevada Construction, Road and Highway Builders, Operating Engineers Local Union 3, Laborers Local Union 169, Cement Masons Local Union 797, Nevada Department of Transportation, the Regional Transportation Commission of Washoe County, Washoe County, the City of Reno, the City of Sparks, and other community partners.
