Work Zone Crashes, Safety Efforts in Focus During National Work Zone Awareness Week

Now that National Work Zone Awareness Week has passed, Roads & Bridges is rounding up key headlines from across the country, including updated crash data and safety initiatives.

National Work Zone Awareness Week Official Kickoff Drives Home Message: Safe Actions Save Lives

American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA)

National Work Zone Awareness Week officially kicked off in Connecticut, where federal, state and industry leaders stressed the importance of safe driving behaviors in work zones.

The event, hosted by the Connecticut Department of Transportation, highlighted new data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).

The data recorded 850 deaths in work zones in 2024 — a slight decrease from the previous year, according to the press release. Of those fatalities, 673 were drivers or passengers, underscoring that work zone crashes impact more than only roadway workers. On average. about two people are killed in work zones each day.

This year’s theme, “Safe Actions Save Lives,” reinforced the role drivers play in protecting workers and fellow motorists.  

Oregon Work Zone Crashes Hit 5-year High in 2024

Oregon Public Broadcasting

Oregon recorded a five-year high of 621 work zone crashes in 2024 — 38 more crashes than reported in 2023.

A spokesperson for the Oregon Department of Transportation said that all the crashes were avoidable and largely caused by speeding and distracted driving, Oregon Public Broadcasting reported.

The 2024 numbers are a large jump since 2020, when 400 work zone crashes were reported statewide.

Serious injuries resulting from work zone crashes dropped to 36 in 2024 from 43 in 2023, and fatalities rose from 10 deaths in 2023 to 14 in 2024.

Highway Safety Worker Killed on Capital Beltway  

Fox 45 News

A driver struck and killed a highway safety worker on Saturday on Capital Beltway in Maryland.

The worker was setting up traffic control cones on a ramp from Saint Barnabas Road and was struck by a driver traveling on the ramp, according to Fox 45 News.

Police responded to the scene on the inner loop of the Capital Beltway shortly before noon and closed lanes for nearly five hours while conducting the investigation.

Work zone Crashes, Deaths Dropped in 2025. Maryland Leaders are Still Doubling Down on Safety

CBS News

New data released from the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) reported a decrease in work zone crashes, deaths and injuries in the state in 2025.

Despite the numbers trending downward, MDOT said reckless driving through work zones continues to be a major problem.

The state data reported 19 citations were issued to drivers traveling more than 130 mph through work zones across the state.

Maryland operates a tiered fine system using speed cameras on highways, increasing fines as drivers go faster, according to CBS News. The fines can go even higher if workers are actively working in the work zone.

A law from the Maryland General Assembly will also require drivers to use a device in their car to prevent speeding if they have had their license revoked or suspended previously.

This year, the state has recorded 200 work zone crashes, resulting in two deaths and 53 injuries.

Trump’s Transportation Department Highlights Importance of Safe Driving during National Work Zone Awareness Week

FHWA

FHWA Administrator Sean McMaster announced new efforts to improve work zone safety.  

The agency plans to invest $500,000 in a training program to help up to 110 organizations design and manage advanced work zones. The agency is also seeking design concepts for a new Fallen Highway Workers National Memorial, according to an agency press release.

According to FHWA, about 20% of work zone fatalities involved pedestrians, construction, maintenance and utility workers.

Work Zone Crashes Rise in Virginia as Safety Campaign Urges Drivers to Slow Down

Royal Examiner

Virginia recorded more than 4,000 crashes in work zones in 2025 that resulted in 2,300 injuries and 17 deaths — reflecting an increase from 2024. The state saw 3,700 crashes, 1,500 injuries and 15 fatalities that year.

Crashes are preventable, according to state officials, which attribute 85% of crashes to speeding and distracted driving. Rear-end collisions are behind three of every four crashes.

There are more than 600 projects planned statewide this year, resulting in more lane closures, shifting traffic patterns and crews on the road.

16 People Killed in Work Zone Crashes, Hundreds More Injured

Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT)

Tennessee saw 2,432 total work zone crashes last year, resulting in 607 injuries and 16 deaths.

This year, the state has recorded 35 crashes with drivers colliding into TDOT equipment and vehicles, as well as HELP Trucks, which provide free services such as flat fixes or jumpstarts to drivers on busy interstates.

Transportation officials warned drivers that they will encounter work zones across the state in the summer and spring months.

To commemorate National Work Zone Awareness Week, work zone safety messages were displayed on overhead Dynamic Message Signs on major corridors in the state’s major cities. Additionally, prominent buildings and bridges were lit orange, and 113 barrels were displayed in each region to represent the 113 TDOT workers killed in work zone crashes.