This year, as Work Zone Safety Week ocurred April 20-24, highway workers were getting added protection at both the federal and state levels. In Washington, D.C., bipartisan legislation meant to improve safety for roadside workers has been introduced in congress. Several states have implemented stiffer penalties for drivers putting workers at risk in road and bridge construction zones. These efforts should ensure construction crews feel safe on the job.
In March, Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada and Dave McCormick of Pennsylvania introduced the Safe Roads for Those Who Serve Act.
ARTBA reports that the bill would require states to improve data collection and analysis of highway worker injuries and fatalities. It also would call for states to develop a safety plan if these types of incidents rise over a two-year period.
The bill establishes a national campaign showing roadside dangers and how to protect workers. It also supports research to improve worker safety
Finally, the act would require major infrastructure grant applicants to detail how projects will protect workers and the public during and after construction.
Road Crew Safety
Concerns in Mind
ARTBA noted it worked to ensure the legislation reflects the needs of roadway construction professionals.
The association's work zone clearinghouse data shows between 2014 and 2023, an average of 118 workers were killed each year in roadway work zones.
Since 2020 alone, more than 500 workers have lost their lives while performing roadside duties, said ARTBA in announcing the legislation. That includes construction crews, tow truck operators and law enforcement officers, according to clearinghouse data.
"ARTBA has consistently urged state and federal officials to explicitly classify these workers as ‘vulnerable road users,' ensuring they receive stronger protections," it said.
McCormick said the bipartisan effort will improve data collection, strengthen public awareness and prioritize safety in infrastructure projects.
Every day, "law enforcement officers, EMS crews and roadside workers put themselves in harm's way… to keep the rest of us safe."
America has worked to make roads safer for both drivers and pedestrians, said Cortez Masto.
"But we still have work to do to protect those whose jobs regularly put them on the side of the road."
She said first responders and roadside workers risk death or injury every single day while responding to an emergency or maintaining our roads.
ARTBA reported that the bill sponsors may try to move it as a stand-alone measure through the House and Senate. Alternatively, they'll incorporate the proposal into the next surface transportation reauthorization package due Sept. 30.
In a press release, McCormick noted that the legislation is supported by several industry groups including the AGC and the National Safety Council.
This spring, the AGC and HCSS again asked highway and transportation members to answer questions about work zone safety conditions. Seeking to collect information on the frequency, severity and impacts of work zone crashes, it also has a goal of determining potential solutions.
"AGC will use the results to support a national media and public education campaign launching ahead of Memorial Day," announced the association
The campaign will encourage safer driving during the busy summer travel season, the group said. Member responses are sought by May 8, 2026.
"The data will also help strengthen advocacy efforts for tougher work zone safety laws and enforcement."
States Supporting Road Workers With Heftier Penalties
Several states across the country have beefed up work zone safety laws. The efforts are applauded by national organizations, including in the towing sector.
"Slow Down, Move Over laws need to be promoted," said Bruce Bender, executive director of the Towing and Recovery Association of America.
He'd also like to see these laws heavily publicized because, he said, "they are proven to save lives."
In April, Gov. Kay Ivey of Alabama signed the state's Work Zone Safety Act, meant to slow down drivers in construction zones. The goal is to keep everyone safe, reports wbrc.com, by establishing a pilot program to monitor speeds in construction zones.
Drivers caught speeding would be issued a $250 ticket in the mail from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. Cameras would photograph vehicle license plates.
"It begins as a pilot program, and we'll assess how it works," said Tony Harris of the Alabama DOT. "Hopefully we'll see measurable improvements in safety."
Fines collected would be distributed between the two state agencies to fund the program. Extra money collected would go into a work zone safety fund.
"It's time that we think more about the safety of the people that are in work zones," said Harris. "That's the most important thing we can focus on."
The Alabama bill requires reports to the legislature studying the effectiveness of the pilot program, according to wbrc.com.
The station reported that a driver awareness program will launch in October, and full enforcement is expected by the end of the year.
In January, Connecticut announced that drivers must now complete a work zone safety course before being issued licenses. The state Department of Motor Vehicles said residents looking to obtain a learner's permit must first finish the Connecticut Work Zone Safety course.
The free online course is meant to educate new drivers as they begin to take the road and reinforce the importance of driving safely, reported fox61.com.
The station noted that Connecticut has had "a recent track record" of fatal incidents involving work zones or state roadside workers.
Tony Guerrera, state DMV commissioner, said the goal is to ensure drivers keep safety top of mind and understand the consequences of unsafe driving.
"This is an important step in promoting safe and responsible driving behavior," Guerrera said. "Introducing this course at the beginning of the license process helps drivers develop an awareness and supports long-term compliance with traffic laws."
In addition to requiring course completion, the bill calls for drivers who are convicted of a work zone violation to also finish it.
CTDOT Commissioner Garret Eucalitto said the new course "humanizes the men and women behind the cones and barrels."
It also underscores "what's at stake when drivers speed, are distracted or get behind the wheel impaired," he added.
Fines for citations in work zones are increasing in West Virginia after the House of Delegates passed a bill to also increase jail time for infractions.
According to wvmetronews.com, the bill passed in March would increase fines for going 15 miles per hour or less over the speed limit from $200 to $500.
Those going 15 miles per hour and over, the fines jump from $200 to $1,000. Maximum jail time for the misdemeanor increases from 20 to 30 days.
The state transportation construction industry has had three fatalities on the private side and one on the public side where speed was a factor.
Jason Pizatella, West Virginia Contractors Association president, said a man was killed when he crashed into construction equipment last December.
In September 2025, an interstate construction worker was killed, while the year before, a flagger was killed in a work zone crash.
The increased fines for speeding are the second part of a three-part strategy to improve safety in work zones and slow vehicles down, reported wvmetronews.
Last year, the state legislature approved a bill amending the Move Over act, which required drivers to treat construction vehicles like emergency vehicles.
They also were required to yield the right of way and move over a lane for construction vehicles.
The third part of that strategy uses technology to assist in enforcing traffic laws in highway work zones.
The news outlet noted that neighboring states of Pennsylvania, Virginia, Kentucky and Maryland already use camera technology to enforce traffic laws. Pizatella added that there are cameras watching work zones, but they are not currently being used for traffic enforcement.
"What we've asked the legislature to do is not to turn into D.C. or Maryland or Pennsylvania, where citations are automatic," he said. "You still have to have that interaction and traffic stop initiated by a law enforcement officer."
He said it would give law enforcement one additional tool to enforce speed limits that are already there. The bill was to be considered by the Senate.
In Oklahoma, road crews, advocates and survivors voiced support of a bill that would beef up speed enforcement in work zones. The February press conference introduced the bill, which proposes using automated devices to capture images of speeding vehicles and their license plates.
News outlet okcfox.com reported that the devices would target drivers exceeding the posted speed by 10 mph or more.
Bobby Stem of the Association of Oklahoma General Contractors noted an incident where a driver sped through a work zone at 122 mph. The driver ignored posted limits of 55 mph in the construction zone.
"These work zones are very, very dangerous places," Stem said.
Randy Jones, traffic operation manager of Action Safety, experienced injuries as the result of a devastating accident caused by a speeding truck driver.
Jones supports the bill, said okcfox.com, both as a worker and a survivor, hoping it will prevent further injuries and fatalities.
"I have a family, my whole team has a family, and we want to get home at the end of the day," Jones said. "And we also want the traveling public to be safe going through them and make it home to their families." CEG
