As a record-breaking construction season ramps up across Missouri, the Missouri Department of Transportation is urging motorists to “work with us” by making safe and responsible choices behind the wheel.
The message comes as part of National Work Zone Awareness Week, observed April 20-24, and ahead of what officials say could be more than 1,000 active work zones across the state this year.
In 2025, 24 people were killed in Missouri work zone crashes. Distracted driving contributed to at least 11 of those fatalities, along with more than 400 work zone crashes overall. Officials say distracted driving and driving too fast for conditions remain the leading causes of work zone crashes.
“On any given day on Missouri’s roadways this construction season, we expect to have as many as 1,000 active work zones in place,” said State Highway Safety and Traffic Engineer Jon Nelson. “And within each of these work zones are men and women simply doing their jobs to build and maintain a transportation system that makes each of our lives a little better. Stay alert, slow down, and let’s do our part to make sure they each get home safe at the end of the day.”
Officials remind drivers that slowing down and moving over in work zones is not just a courtesy — it’s the law.
Missouri’s Move Over law requires drivers to change lanes, when safe, as they approach state vehicles, law enforcement or any emergency vehicle with flashing lights. If a lane change is not possible, drivers must slow down when passing. Motorists are also urged to stay alert to changing traffic conditions, follow posted warnings and merge well before reaching lane closures.
While overall traffic fatalities in Missouri have declined over the past three years, the number of work zone deaths has remained unchanged. At the same time, the number of MoDOT vehicles struck in work zones increased significantly in 2025.
“Our protective vehicles in work zones were struck 50 times, 16 times more than the year prior,” Nelson said. “These protective vehicles are often the only thing shielding highway workers from an errant vehicle, and the fact they were hit 50 times is a sobering reminder of just how critical it is that drivers pay attention and respect the work being done.”
Drivers can visit Mo- DOT’s Traveler Information Map online to learn about current work zones and plan routes accordingly.
