April 9-13 is designated National Work Zone Awareness Week. This week is designed to bring attention to motorist and worker safety and mobility issues in work zones.

• Over the last 5 years 4,400 people have died and 200,000 injured in work zone crashes.
• Drivers are the most frequent fatality in work zone crashes.
• Most work zone fatalities involve working-age adults.
• Rear-end crashes (running into the rear of a slowing or stopping vehicle) are the most common type of work zone crash.
• Fatal work zone crashes occur most often in summer and fall.
• The majority of fatal work zone crashes occurred on roads with speed limits greater than 50 mph.
• Stopping distance for motor vehicles at 50 mph:

-Dry roadway300 ft

-Wet roadway400 ft

-Icy pavement1250 ft

• A loaded 80,000 lb. tractor-trailer requires almost 50% more stopping distance.
• It takes only an extra 25 seconds to cover 1 mile at 45 mph compared to 65 mph.

Tips for the Driver

• Stay Alert and Minimize Distractions
• Keep Your Headlights On
• Pay Attention to the Road
• Merge into the Proper Lane
• Don’t Tailgate
• Obey the Posted Speed Limit
• Change Lanes Safely
• Follow Instructions form Flaggers
• Expect the Unexpected

BE PATIENT

Additional resources

FHWA-Developed Resources PDF

Trucking Safely Through Work Zones PDF