SACRAMENTO – The members of Caltrans’ Honor Guard embody the department’s continued dedication to safety, and during memorials and funerals, they pay tribute to employees who lost their lives while on the job.

“The 16 Caltrans employees chosen to serve as Honor Guard members represent the best of the best in our department,” said Caltrans Director Laurie Berman. “I would like to personally thank them for their dedication to honor their fallen coworkers with dignity. In memory of those fallen workers, and on behalf of everyone working on California’s highways – including our Honor Guard members – please drive safely.”

The Honor Guard practices rigorously and has been present during memorials to present a folded California flag to the family of the deceased. Since 1921, Caltrans has lost 188 employees who died while on the job.

In this Caltrans News Flash, go behind the scenes to hear some of the heartfelt reasons why Caltrans Honor Guard members are compelled to serve, and view the Caltrans Honor Guard’s contributions during this year’s Annual Statewide Workers Memorial.

The Honor Guard would like motorists to “Be Work Zone Alert” to protect the people traveling and working on California’s highways. They also encourage Caltrans workers to recommit daily to safe work practices.

This News Flash is the 172nd in a series of videos highlighting Caltrans’ activities that present the wide-ranging and critical work that Caltrans does to enhance California’s economy and livability.

To see more of these and other videos, search for #CaltransNewsFlash on Twitter or go to http://bit.ly/1ez3LYz.