It's National Work Zone Awareness Week. The annual spring campaign is held at the start of construction season to encourage safe driving through highway work zones.

National Work Zone Awareness Week has been taking place since 2000. This year's theme is Work With Us.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 956 people died in work zones in 2021. NHTSA says the majority of those killed were drivers and their passengers. During National Work Zone Awareness Week, and all year long, officials are urging drivers to slow down in work zones.

The Connecticut Department of Transportation recently announced a program to reduce speeding in work zones. The Know The Zone: Speed Safety Camera Program is now active in several work zones across the state -- including in Westport, Norwalk, and Newtown.

White SUVs with radar and camera technology have been deployed to the work zones. The system is used to spot cars traveling 15 mph or more above the posted work zone speed limit. The cameras then capture images of the cars; the rear license plate of the car is used to identify the registered owners. If the information captured is determined to be accurate, a warning or citation will be mailed to the registered owners.

First offense: Written warning, no fine

Second offense: Notice of liability, $75 fine

Third/subsequent offenses: $150 fine

For more information about the new program, click here.