By JON NELSON

As spring gives way to summer, there’s something else that seems to sprout up alongside the flowers: work zones. April 21-25 is National Work Zone Awareness Week, and serves as an opportunity to remind motorists that when a work zone is present, so are workers.

The men and women of MoDOT and our partners in the construction and contractor communities put their lives on the line just going to their jobs every day, as they try to make our lives better with the work being done. With historic investment in interstate construction underway, work zones are prevalent in Missouri.

Since the turn of the century, 35 MoDOT employees have been killed in the line of duty, with members of the contracting community suffering similar losses. These were husbands, wives, brothers and sisters; individuals who went to work just like any other day and never came home. Most of us don’t have to worry about distracted, impaired or speeding drivers barreling through the places we work. For those public servants whose “office” is a work zone, it can be a matter of life and death. That’s why this April, MoDOT and the Coalition for Roadway Safety are reminding motorists that “we don’t speed through your workplace – please don’t speed through ours.”

When it comes to injuries and fatalities, workers aren’t the only ones impacted, so are the drivers and passengers. In 2024, 23 people were killed in work zone crashes in Missouri – bringing the total number killed to 120 in just the last four years. Over that same four-year period – 2020-2024 – more than 5,000 people were injured in crashes that took place in work zones. Driving distracted and driving too fast for conditions continue to be problematic factors when it comes to work zone-related crashes. Distracted driving contributed to 356 of those crashes in 2024 and four of that year’s fatalities. Half of the work zone crashes in 2024 were the result of aggressive driving.

These statistics must change. Driving safe is a huge responsibility for everyone that gets behind the wheel, not only for the health and safety of our workers, but for you. We ask that all drivers “Work With Us” because you play a role in work zone safety not only in April but all year round.

Jon Nelson is MoDOT’s state highway safety and traffic engineer.