Overview
National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW) is April 20-24 and this year's theme is, "Safe Actions Save Lives." The annual spring campaign is held at the start of construction seasons to encourage safe driving through highway work zones. It takes place across the United States, with partnerships between state departments of transportation, national road safety organizations, government agencies, private companies, and individuals.
Why is this so important? The vast majority of people killed in work zone crashes are motorists and passengers. Did you know that in 2023, almost 900 people died in work zones, according to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)? That same year, 82 work occupational fatalities occurred in road construction sites, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That's on top of the reported 39,000 injuries reported in work zones.
It's numbers like these that show why it's so important for drivers to slow down and stay focused while approaching and passing through a roadway work zone. More information about work zone data is available at the National Work Zone Safety Information Clearinghouse at WorkZoneSafety.org.
NWZAW highlights the dangers of inattention at highway work areas and each day this week will commemorate different aspects of the campaign:
- Monday: Work Zone Safety Training Day
- Tuesday: National Kickoff Event
- Wednesday: Go Orange Day
- Thursday: Social Media Storm
- Friday: Moment of Silence
On average, at least two people are killed in work zones every day, according to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). The agency offers up some simple tips and reminders to stay safe and other resources:
Pay attention, especially at night
More than half of all fatal work zone crashes occurred at night in 2024.
Keep your distance
Speeds can change unexpectedly. In 2024, rear-end collisions caused almost 25 percent of all fatal work zone crashes.
Watch for pedestrians
They may be in your driving path. In 2024, nearly 170 pedestrians, which includes construction, maintenance, and utility workers, and cyclists, were killed in work zones.
Slow down
Speeding reduces reaction time. In 2024, speed was a factor in more than a third of fatal work zone crashes.
Allow extra space
Large vehicles need room to maneuver. In 2024, large trucks or buses were involved in nearly one-third of fatal work zone crashes.
Avoid distractions
Unpredictable zones require full focus. Distractions were involved in more than one in eight fatal work zone crashes in 2024.
The FHWA also provides other resources, guidance and training: