U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy has emphasized the importance of safety in work zones as the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) marks National Work Zone Awareness Week. “Safety is my top priority,” he stated, supporting the initiative on behalf of the Trump Administration and the U.S. Department of Transportation.
The FHWA is reminding drivers to exercise caution in and around work zones on highways, focusing national attention on promoting safe driving behavior. Gloria M. Shepherd, Executive Director of the FHWA, highlighted, “Everyone plays a role in work zone safety.” Shepherd stressed the need for drivers to remain alert to protect highway workers who work near high-speed traffic.
From 2021 to 2023, work zone fatalities saw a decrease of nearly 7 percent, according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data. However, 899 people died in work zone crashes in 2023. The numbers indicate persistent risks, with 34 percent of fatal work zone crashes involving speed, 21 percent involving rear-end collisions, and 30 percent involving commercial vehicles like trucks and buses.
Drivers are urged to avoid distractions, obey speed limits, and give extra space to commercial vehicles in work zones. The FHWA encourages drivers to use alternate routes and follow detours when possible to reduce work zone crashes.
The National Work Zone Safety Information Clearinghouse provides further data on work zone fatalities. Since 1999, the FHWA has collaborated with organizations like the American Traffic Safety Services Association to coordinate National Work Zone Awareness Week. The FHWA has also trained over 125,000 field workers through its Work Zone Safety Grant Program.
For more information about National Work Zone Awareness Week, resources are available online, and the public is encouraged to use the hashtags #NWZAW, #Orange4Safety, and #OrangeForSafety to show support.
