As part of National Work Zone Awareness Week from Monday to Friday, the Missouri Department of Transportation is shedding light on the dangers of work zone traffic while urging drivers to put down their phones and be patient and courteous when driving through construction zones.
Throughout 2025, distracted driving led to 437 work zone crashes with 12 fatalities, speeding led to 11% of work zone crashes and lack of seat belt usage was seen in 62% of vehicle occupant fatalities in work zones, according to the MoDOT website.
Additionally, last year there were 24 fatalities in Missouri work zone crashes and an increase in the number of MoDOT vehicles that were struck, from 34 to 50, according to an email from MoDOT.
With continued construction being done through the Improve Interstate 70 program to better nearly 200 miles of state highways, MoDOT said this week is “essential” to the safety of its workers. In a news release, the department asked drivers to “Work With Us” through a “historic” construction season.
“It’s important to remember these aren’t just work zones and cones. It’s people working and people’s lives that are being affected,” said Marcia Johnson, MoDOT communications manager, central district. “We are asking drivers to slow down and remember that.”
As part of Work With Us, MoDOT is hosting a media event Monday morning “highlighting the impacts of work zone crashes and actions that can help save lives,” according to the release.
The event will take place in Jefferson City at the south end of the Bolivar Street bridge over U.S. 50 and will feature speakers Machelle Watkins, MoDOT central district engineer, and Sgt. Kyle Green, Missouri State Highway Patrol public information officer.
MoDOT finds it important to create local recognition of a national event at the state level, especially as summer is approaching and with the warm weather comes increases in travel and construction, Johnson said.
She calls this week a “timely reminder” to drivers of the real dangers that can be faced, and urges them to continue practicing safe driving skills.