Oregon Work Zone Crashes Increase to Five-Year High with 621 Crashes
Summary
The Oregon Department of Transportation released 2024 work zone crash statistics showing 621 crashes—the highest in five years—resulting in 14 deaths and 36 serious injuries. All serious injuries and deaths were sustained by drivers or passengers, with no worker fatalities reported. The data was released during National Work Zone Awareness Week (April 20-24) to promote safe driving practices through work zones. No compliance obligations or regulatory changes are imposed by this bulletin.
What changed
The Oregon Department of Transportation published 2024 work zone crash statistics showing 621 crashes—the highest in five years—resulting in 14 deaths and 36 serious injuries. This represents an increase from prior years. All serious injuries and deaths involved drivers or passengers, not road workers. The data was released during National Work Zone Awareness Week (April 20-24) to raise awareness about work zone safety. No new regulations, compliance obligations, or enforcement actions are imposed by this bulletin.
Fleet operators, commercial drivers, and transportation companies operating in Oregon should note the heightened risk environment in work zones and reinforce safe driving policies with employees during high-activity summer construction season.
Archived snapshot
Apr 21, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
Oregon work zone crashes increase again, hit five-year high
Oregon Department of Transportation sent this bulletin at 04/20/2026 07:30 AM PDT Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.
| # News Release |
Oregon w ork zone crash es increase again, hit five-year high
April 20, 2026
For more information, contact Matt Noble 503-779-9868
Oregon work zone crashes hit a five-year high in 2024 — 621 crashes — according to the latest data from the Oregon Department of Transportation.
The crashes claimed 14 lives and resulted in 36 serious injuries.
Most work zone crashes involve drivers, not road workers. In 2024, all of the serious injuries and deaths in work zones were to drivers or their passengers. Each crash was preventable.
Safe driver actions save lives
April 20-24 is National Work Zone Awareness Week. It encourages safe driving through work zones and highlights the workers who risk their lives to keep our roads safe, clear and flowing smoothly.
Work zones are a shared space between drivers and road workers. Your decisions behind the wheel matter.
- Pay attention. Distracted driving is a leading cause of work zone crashes.
- Slow down. Speed limits in work zones are lowered for everyone’s safety.
- Move over. When you see road workers, safely change lanes to give them space. If you can’t move over, slow down.
- Plan ahead. Navigating work zones will add time to your trip. Before you leave, visit TripCheck.com for the latest closures, detours and delays.
Work zones can be anywhere
As summer nears, drivers will see more work zones statewide. But work zones aren’t just orange barrels and lane closures. If you see someone working along the road, that’s a work zone; slow down and move over.
These people rely on you to keep them safe:
- Emergency responders helping stranded or injured travelers.
- Road maintenance workers fixing potholes, paving roads, trimming trees, or replacing signs.
- Tow truck drivers helping disabled vehicles.
- Utility workers from your local utility company ensuring power, water and other services reach your community. Remember, work zones are still “active” even if you don’t see anyone working in the zone when you drive through it. Fines double for speeding and other unsafe (and unlawful) behaviors in work zones, too.
Work zone crashes 2020-2024
More information about work zone safety
Visit ODOT’s work zone safety webpage for comprehensive work zone safety information
Want to know what it’s really like in a work zone? Our Work Zone Safety Flickr album shows just how close road workers are to fast-moving traffic.
Travelers can find the latest road conditions, traffic cameras and weather information at TripCheck.com, which provides real-time travel information to help you plan safe trips year-round.
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Oregon Department of Transportation
355 Capitol Street NE, MS 11
Salem, OR , 97301-3871 USA
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