Mississippi Proclaims Work Zone Awareness Week April 20-24

MDOT recognizes Work Zone Awareness Week April 20-24

Updated Friday, April 17, 2026 9:22 AM

During National Work Zone Awareness Week 2026, MDOT and Gov. Tate Reeves are joining forces to remind everyone that “safe actions save lives.”

April 19, 2026

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JACKSON, MISS.--- The Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) and Gov. Tate Reeves are joining forces this week to remind everyone that “safe actions save lives.” To call attention to the life-and-death issues facing workers and the public in work zones, Gov. Reeves has proclaimed April 20-24 as Work Zone Awareness Week in Mississippi.

Roadside crews are in an extremely dangerous environment working only feet away from vehicles traveling at high speeds. Add distracted drivers, and it can quickly turn disastrous. While these crews work as safely as possible, their environment is often an unpredictable one, and their safety is in your hands. MDOT officials are asking drivers to protect roadside crews working to ensure the state’s roads and bridges stay in the safest possible conditions.

“Considering the hundreds of fatalities in work zone-related crashes nationally, the majority being motorists, we’re once again reminding everyone how important it is to drive safe and distraction-free in work zones,” said MDOT Executive Director Brad White. “By simply driving safely, you can save lives, including your own. When you see orange, please slow down, pay attention and eliminate distractions like cell phones.”

Work zone-related crashes are trending in the wrong direction. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, there were 899 work zone fatalities nationally in 2023, an increase from 891 fatalities in 2022. In 2023, there were 101,000 estimated work zone crashes, resulting in over 39,000 injuries nationally.

Work zone safety awareness is not only designed for the safety of roadside workers but also drivers themselves: more than 85 percent of all work zone-related fatalities were drivers or passengers. In 2023, 705 drivers and passengers died in work zones, and 82 highway workers lost their lives in roadside construction sites nationally.

Regardless of the work performed, each MDOT work zone has advanced warning signs alerting the traveling public of the work they are approaching. One of the best ways to stay safe when approaching and traveling through a work zone is by simply paying attention to advanced warning signs.

Stay safe while traveling through work zones with these travel tips:

• Pay attention. You should always keep your eyes on the road, but this is exceptionally important in work zones. Be aware of all signage throughout work zones that can indicate reduced speeds, lane changes and other important information.
• Avoid distractions. This not only includes cell phone use, but eating, drinking, operating radios and GPS and conversing with other passengers.
• Slow down. Lane closures, traffic pattern shifts and reduced speeds are common in work zones. Make sure to slow down when entering a work zone and keep an eye out for roadside workers.
• Move into the open lane. When approaching lane closures, move into the open lane as soon as possible. Be sure to pay close attention to vehicles around you that could be in your blind spot.
• Keep your distance. Rear-end crashes are extremely common in work zones – maintain extra space between your vehicle and the one in front of you at all times.
• Research your route. Before setting out on the road, research your route. When possible, avoid active work zones and use any detours available.

Work zones are set up according to the type of work being performed. MDOT and other state DOTs follow the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), developed by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), which defines the standards used by road managers nationwide to install and maintain traffic control devices on roads open to public travel.

“With temperatures steadily on the rise, you are going to see many work zones across the state. It is critical that we as drivers acknowledge the role we play in work zone safety,” said White. “These workers you pass behind the barrels, cones and barricades are someone’s father, mother, son, daughter, friend or neighbor. Please help us ensure everyone makes it home safely at the end of the day.”

Highway work zones often present unfamiliar traffic conditions. Examples of common work zones found on Mississippi highways and a complete list of tips can be found at GoMDOT.com/drivesmartms.

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The Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) is responsible for providing a safe intermodal transportation network that is planned, designed, constructed and maintained in an effective, cost-efficient and environmentally sensitive manner. MDOT’s objective is to maximize taxpayer’s dollars by providing a safe, efficient multimodal network that enhances economic stability and growth. For more information, visit GoMDOT.com

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