Georgia's 11 Visitor Information Centers ‘Go Orange' for National Work Zone Safety Awareness Week

ATLANTA, March 31, 2011 — Georgia is joining states throughout the Southeast from April 4-8, 2011 for National Work Zone Safety Awareness Week. Georgia's 11 Visitor Information centers will 'Go Orange' as part of a public awareness campaign to promote and encourage safe driving in and around highway construction work zones with a variety of planned events and activities. 'Millions of people travel to and through Georgia each year, so it is important for us to promote safe driving in active work zones,' said Kevin Langston, Deputy Commissioner for Tourism for the Georgia Department of Economic Development. 'The 'Go Orange' campaign gives the state's 11 Visitors Information Centers the opportunity to bring attention to work zone safety during National Work Zone Safety Awareness Week.' Drivers traveling on Georgia's roadways will see plenty of orange at the state's Visitor Information Centers in Columbus, West Point, Plains, Tallapoosa, Sylvania, Savannah, Valdosta, Kingsland, Augusta, Lavonia, and Ringgold who have all planned 'Go Orange' events. Activities range from question-and-answer sessions with local law enforcement officials regarding work zone traffic laws to orange-themed giveaways, orange refreshments and snacks, safety displays and other activities designed to promote National Work Zone Safety Awareness Week and overall driver safety. In Kingsland and Augusta, the Georgia Department of Highway Safety will have its Rollover Simulator. In Columbus, visitors will be served an orange-flavored drink made by Columbus-based COTT beverage. The Visitor Information Centers will also work with local Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) offices throughout the state during this week-long observance.  Since 1973, 57 Georgia DOT workers have died in work zone accidents, according to GDOT. On Monday, April 4, GDOT Commissioner Vance C. Smith, Jr., will preside over a ceremony at the GDOT headquarters in Atlanta to memorialize the fallen GDOT workers. For more information about Georgia's recognition of National Work Zone Safety Awareness Week, visit http://www.dot.ga.gov/workzonesafety. The Georgia Department of Economic Development is the state's sales and marketing arm, the lead agency for attracting new business investment, encouraging the expansion of existing industry and small businesses, locating new markets for Georgia products, attracting tourists to Georgia, and promoting the state as a location for film, music and digital entertainment projects, as well as planning and mobilizing state resources for economic development. For more information, visit www.Georgia.org.