EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — California Department of Transportation employees, family members and guests took a moment Thursday to recognize and honor District 7 workers killed in the line of duty at its annual Workers Memorial event, held this year at the office in downtown Los Angeles.

During the ceremony, Caltrans unveiled the 32 names of the employees who died while on duty in District 7 covering LA and Ventura counties.

"Caltrans crews are the people who wake up hours before sunrise to prepare the roads for the morning commute; work through storms, extreme heat, and natural disasters to keep the traveling public safe; respond to crashes and emergencies; work diligently to protect the lives of others," said Caltrans Director Tony Tavares on Thursday. "But, despite their dedication and care with ensuring a safe environment, our workers remain vulnerable."

Statewide, Caltrans has lost 194 employees since 1921, according to Caltrans. The memorial pays tribute to the memory and lives of those who have died in District 7.

In 2022, Caltrans instituted a new Director's Policy on Road Safety, which commits the department to the Safe System approach by prioritizing safety first in design planning and focusing on improving safety on the state’s transportation network.

Caltrans noted Thursday that motorists can dramatically improve safety in work zones by slowing down, avoiding texting and talking on the phone, and complying with the Move Over law, which requires motorists to move over if it is safe to do so or slow down when approaching vehicles displaying flashing amber warning lights, including Caltrans vehicles.