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Caltrans Workers Memorial and Worker Safety

Since 1921, 194 Caltrans employees have been killed on the job. One of the biggest hazards faced by highway workers are inattentive and distracted motorists.

Each year, Caltrans honors its fallen employees at the statewide Workers' Memorial. Family members, co-workers, friends, and the general public are invited to attend the memorial, which took place on April 25, 2025. Watch the Caltrans Workers Memorial 2025.

The Fallen Workers' Memorial is a time to remember those who lost their lives building, maintaining, and operating California’s world-class transportation system.

This observance also highlights safety awareness for employees in work zones, as well as the motoring public.

2025 Caltrans Statewide and District Workers' Memorial Ceremonies 

We hope that you take the time to attend one of the memorials being held throughout the state, either virtually or in person, as we honor those who lost their lives on the job. Find your District on this map.

Thursday, April 17, 11 a.m., River Walk Park,  West Sacramento

May 21, Eureka Equipment Shop (1650 Albee St., Eureka) Time TBA

April 29, 11 a.m., Chester Maintenance Station (1187 SR-36, Chester)

April 22, District 4 Training Center (200 Burma Road, Oakland) Time TBA
April 30, 10 a.m., District 5 Office (50 Higuera St, San Luis Obispo)

April 22, 10:30 a.m., District 6 Office (1352 W. Olive Ave, Fresno).

April 24, 10 a.m., District Office (464 W 4th St., San Bernardino)

May 1, 11 a.m., Sonora Junction Maintenance Station (93922 U.S. 395, Bridgeport)

April 14th, 1 p.m., District Office (1808 N. Batavia St., Orange)

2025 Caltrans Fallen Workers' Memorial Scholarship

The Caltrans Fallen Workers' Memorial Scholarships are awarded to children of Fallen Caltrans Workers – as well as to those of Fallen Workers in California’s transportation industry, including contractors – to help selected students meet their post-high school educational goals.

Ashly Saw, 17, is the recipient of the 2025 Caltrans Fallen Worker Memorial Scholarship. Ashly is a senior at KIPP Collegiate Academy in San Lorenzo, where she holds a high grade point average and has donated numerous hours to community service. In 2017, Ashly’s mom, Si Si Han, was killed working in a toll booth on the Bay Bridge. Ashly will be attending University of California at Davis in the fall with a plan to study pre-law.

2025 Caltrans Safety Poster Contest

The 2025 Safety Poster Contest winners have been selected in each of the four age group categories!
Winners are:


14-17 age group – Gopika Srivastava

The image is a hand-drawn image with a yellow sign in the middle of the image that says be workzone alert in black and red letters. around the yellow square are orange and yellow traffic cones and helmets. spanning across the image behind the yellow box is a tire mark. the caltrans logo is in the bottom left corner.  


11-13 age group – Mohammad Ashaque

The image is a hand drawn image with the words be workzone alert at the top of the image in yellow and red letters. Below the words is a black bar with two arrows at the end with the words be move alert below it. At the bottom of the image is a Caltrans construction zone on a highway with signs that say move over and construction workers dressed in blue with yellow and orange vests.

 

7-10 age group – Gauransh Srivastava

The image is a hand drawn image with the words move over at the top with black arrows to the left of the words. below the words is an image of a black and yellow barricade along a highway with an orange helmet hanging on the barricade. Next to the barricade are two orange cones. in the background are green trees and brown hills. The caltrans logo is in the bottom left of the image.

 

6-under age group – Gurnoor Sidhu

The image is a hand drawn image with the words move over at the top. The drawing is divided into six sections with bloack lines, two rectangles at the top and bottom and four squares in the middle of the image. The top rectangle has the words Road Safety with signs that say stop, think, act. In the middle squares are an image of a seatbelt with the words use seat belt, don't speed with the image of a speedometer, a stick figure crossing a crosswalk with the words use zebra crossing, and an image of a cell phone with the words don't use phone. The bottom rectangle has a drawing of a blue and pink car with the words it's not a race create space make your journey safe. The caltrans logo is in each corner of the drawing.

Past Memorials

Worker Safety

Caltrans is committed to providing safe and efficient work zones, both for the traveling public and employees working on the state highway system. The Mission, Vision, and Goals, for the Department place safety highest among its commitments.

"Every day, thousands of highway workers put their lives in danger just by going to work and serving the public... Californians can help keep our highways safe by slowing down in the ‘work zone’ and complying with the Move Over law."

Malcolm Dougherty, Former Caltrans Director

The Department's safety goal is to achieve the best safety record in the nation. Help us accomplish this goal by learning more about Worker and Work Zone safety below.

California Move Over Law

California's Move Over Law: “Slow or Move Over for Workers, It’s the Law.” When you see amber flashing lights, move over to protect highway workers.

Be Alert, Our Dad's at Work

Be Work Zone Alert: The children of Caltrans highway workers remind drivers to "stay alert, our parents are at work" and keep our workers safe.

Slow for the Cone Zone

Slow for the Cone Zone: Tips to help you stay safe while traveling through maintenance and construction work zones.