What We're Doing

A smiling woman in a hard hat, safety glasses, and high-visibility vest holding a walkie-talkie, with text reading "SLOW DOWN FOR MOMS, DAUGHTERS, AND SISTERS.

Our Mission

The Connecticut Department of Transportation, through the Work Zone Safety Awareness Standing Committee, is working to reduce crashes in work zones to zero through education, advocacy and special projects. We work tirelessly with law enforcement, legislators, roadway workers and the general public to save lives. 

Advocacy

We work with lawmakers and law enforcement to push for stronger enforcement of traffic laws in work zones and harsher penalties for violators. For example, in past years, we’ve successfully lobbied for “double fines” in work zones for speeding. Currently, we’re supporting the Work Zone Speed Camera Program becoming a permanent program through legislation, whose pilot program was a successful endeavor.

Speed Safety Camera Program

CTDOT rolled out an automated work zone speed control program aimed at reducing speeding, crashes, injuries and fatalities in work zones. The program uses speed safety cameras to capture information about vehicles that speed through select work zones. The registered owners of vehicles caught speeding are issued warnings or citations by mail. A permanent work zone speed camera program called Know the Zone launched in Summer 2026. 

Projects/Initiatives

Terri the Turtle, a green turtle mascot wearing a red cap and an "Obey the Orange" vest, waving at the camera.

Mascots

The Work Zone Safety mascots and volunteers make appearances at sports venues, community and school events and more. Through educational materials and fun giveaways, our friendly mascots remind everyone to Obey the Orange and slow down for work zones. When you see us in public, come say hi and share a story about your work zone experience!

Terri the Turtle!

Who better than a turtle to remind motorists to slow down?! Named after long-time work zone safety advocate, Terri Thompson, Terri the Turtle Terri loves meeting with the public, and she always has some fun, educational giveaways in her turtle shell backpack. Just a kid herself, Terri especially loves meeting with other youngsters for hugs and high-fives.

Bring a Mascot to your Event!
Email us at DOT.CTWorkZone@ct.gov

Slow Down Sam, an orange traffic cone mascot with sunglasses, posing in front of a work zone truck with a "Slow Down for Work Zones" sign.

Slow Down Sam

He’s one cool cone. Sam is a walking, dancing, skating, ball playing traffic cone with a simple message for all motorists– when you see orange cones like me on the road, slow down! Sam loves spending time on Connecticut roadways, and he really gets around. He’s been seen skating with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers and Hartford Wolfpack, playing ball with the Norwich Sea Unicorns and dancing with kids and families at events across the state.
Work Zone Wally, a large mascot made from traffic barrels and cones, displayed in a lobby with work zone signs.

Work Zone Wally

Wally cuts an imposing figure, standing almost 11 feet tall. But don’t be intimidated. He has a glowing personality, thanks to reflective patches encircling his body. The elder statesman of the group, Wally was born on April 24, 2012 when highway workers from Tilcon, CT constructed him out of recycled traffic barrels, cones and tires. Not as animated as his fellow mascots, Wally is nonetheless dedicated to spreading the word about work zone safety. Keep an eye out for him (and his inflated alter ego) at an eventand look out for his cousins created by various Contractors on the side of roadways throughout the state.
Darryl the Barrel Dog, a dog-shaped mascot made from orange traffic barrels and cones, displayed outdoors on grass.

Darryl the Barrel Dog

A rare breed, the barrel terrier is considered one of the brightest dogs in the world. Just look at his gleaming orange coat and reflective patches. At 42 inches tall, Darryl is no runt of the litter. He’s as big as a Saint Bernard and just as focused on saving lives. Darryl is Work Zone Wally’s best friend, and like his master, he’s made of recycled barrels and cones. Like all dogs, he’s incredibly loyal to Wally and all the roadway workers in Connecticut. You can see him at schools, meetings, sporting events and work zones throughout the state, waving his orange flag. 

Campaigns

As part of our educational efforts, these PSAs, airing on TV and online, help raise awareness of work zone safety and remind drivers why Obeying the Orange is so important. 
A woman and young child standing together at a gravestone in a cemetery, with toy trucks placed on top of the headstone.

The Tribute

There are lives behind those cones. This poignant PSA is a tribute to workers who’ve lost their lives in work zones – and to the families they’ve left behind.
Watch the tribute video  
A construction worker in a hard hat and high-visibility vest holding an orange diamond sign reading "SLOW DOWN FOR SONS."

The Signs

This PSA reminds drivers that they’re not just slowing down for work zones, they’re slowing down for our friends and family members. 
Watch the signs video  
An electronic road sign displaying "WORK ZONE SLOW DOWN" surrounded by traffic cones and barrels at a construction site.

Get the Message

Those orange signs at work zones should be telling you something. This memorable campaign of PSAs cleverly reminds drivers to Obey the Orange… or else.
Watch the message video