On any given day during construction season, Missouri will have as many as 1,000 active work zones in place. Within these work zones are hardworking people dedicated to building and maintaining a transportation system that every driver relies on to reach their destination safely.

As part of National Work Zone Awareness Week running April 20-24, MoDOT is asking drivers to “Work With Us” by slowing down, putting down their phones and being patient and courteous through work zones.

“These efforts are essential to protect highway workers and other motorists inside the hundreds of work zones expected across the state this construction season,” reads a release from MoDOT.

While overall traffic fatalities in Missouri have decreased over the past three years, work zone fatalities have stayed consistent. Distracted driving and driving too fast for the conditions remain the top contributors to work zone crashes.

“In 2025, 24 people were killed in Missouri work zone crashes. Distracted driving contributed to at least 11 of those fatalities as well as more than 400 work zone crashes overall,” reports MoDOT.

Last year also saw MoDOT vehicles struck 50 times, 16 more than the previous year.

“These vehicles are often the only barrier protecting highway workers from a potentially fatal crash, so this increase serves as a reminder of how important it is for motorists to pay attention to changing traffic conditions, follow posted warnings and merge well before reaching lane closures,” reads the release.

More on the state’s work zone safety efforts can be found on MoDOT’s website.