District: Headquarters
Contact: Chris Clark
Today's event reminds Californians that "A moment of safety can prevent a moment of silence."
Sacramento – Caltrans today hosted a clean-up and safety awareness event to spotlight California's ongoing efforts to keep the state highways litter-free and remind drivers to move over a lane, when safe to do so, and slow down when approaching work zones. Maintenance crews removed unsightly garbage and debris from a well-traveled section of highway in Sacramento — and did so within a few yards of morning commute traffic.
The event took place on the southbound on-ramp at Broadway and State Route 99, where the media experienced first-hand the job performed by Caltrans' litter crews and, from a safe distance, witnessed the proximity of fast-moving vehicles to highway workers. California's Move Over Law requires drivers to move over a lane, if safe to do so, or slow down when passing vehicles with flashing amber lights. This includes Caltrans vehicles and crews on the side of the road.
The litter clean-up is a continuation of Clean California efforts to maintain consistent highway cleanliness, educate the public about the harms of litter to their health and environment and raise awareness of the challenges and risks encountered by highway workers dedicated to providing a safer, cleaner transportation system for all Californians.
From the Capitol City to Siskiyou and San Diego Counties and regions in between, Caltrans maintenance teams across the state conduct litter removal operations on the first and third Thursdays of each month. These "Litter Stand-Downs" prioritize the department's commitment to keep shared public spaces free of trash and litter.
Since 2021, Caltrans and its local partners have picked up more than 2.7 million cubic yards of litter – enough to cover nine lanes of Interstate 5 with trash from San Diego to the Canadian border. To protect roadway workers tasked with continuing these successful beautification efforts, drivers are encouraged to be Work Zone Alert when traveling in work zones.