Each year in Texas, there are approximately 15,000 crashes and more than 100 people killed in highway construction and maintenance zones.
The two leading causes of work zone crashes are excessive speed and the failure to remain alert while driving. As a result, two in five work zone crashes is a rear-end collision.
At any one time there can be as many as 1,000 active work zones in Texas. There are currently 20 active work zones along I-35 encompassing 109.6 miles from north to south Texas. This is the most work zones TxDOT has ever had on the state’s main corridor as it tackles one of the largest construction programs in department history.
In 2012, there were 16,687 crashes in roadway construction and maintenance zones in Texas, resulting in 134 fatalities.
Driver Safety
With so much construction, motorists frequently encounter work zones.
Please keep the following tips in mind when driving through work zones:
- Slow down and always follow posted work zone speed limits. Speeding is one of the major causes of work zone crashes. Remember, traffic fines double in work zones.
- Pay attention. Workers and heavy equipment may only be a few feet from passing vehicles.
- Be patient. Delays from highway construction can be frustrating, but it only takes a few extra minutes to slow down for a work zone.
- Plan ahead. Leave a few minutes early when traveling through a work zone in order to reach your destination on time.
Fines for moving violations in work zones can be as high as $400.
More Work to Do
Work zone safety and awareness is critical, both for drivers and the men and women that work on our highways every day. TxDOT continues to work on increased safety measures and public outreach efforts to educate motorists about the dangers of work zones, but we need your help because there is still work to do.
- Four out of every five work zone fatalities are motorists traveling through the work zone.
- Forty-three percent of all work zone fatalities for 2012 were 35 years old or younger.
- Men accounted for 75 percent of all work zone fatalities in 2012
- More than 71 percent of the 134 Texas work zone fatalities were related to drugs, alcohol, distracted driving or a combination of the three.
Everyone should take responsibility for work zone safety, from engineers and planners to drivers and pedestrians. TxDOT is working to educate the public and raise awareness of safety precautions for workers and motorists in work zones. Drive safe to be safe.
Work Zone Awareness Week
TxDOT is joining with the Federal Highway Administration and other transportation partners to observe the 14th annual National Work Zone Awareness Week, April 15-19, 2013. Watch our Traffic Statistic Public Service Announcement.
Photos: The 2013 kickoff event was held in Austin on April 15. Photos are available for viewing on TxDOT's Facebook page.
Radio PSA's
| Title | MP3 |
| Voice-over A - 10 seconds |  |
| Voice-over B - 10 seconds | |
| Voice-over C - 10 seconds | |
| Voice-over - 30 seconds | |
| Title | Video |
| "Bowling Pins" |  |
| "Runaway Sign" | |
| "Runaway Sign" - Spanish | |
| "Surrender Flag" | |
| "Surrender Flag" - Spanish | |
| "Traffic Statistic" | |
| "Traffic Statistic" - Spanish | |
| "What One Thing" | |
2011 Highlights
The table below contains audio file highlights from the 2011 statewide National Work Zone Awareness Week.
| Speaker | MP3 |
| Commissioner Fred Underwood | |
| Lt. Craig Cannon - part 1 | |
| Lt. Craig Cannon - part 2 | |
| Major Ron Joy - part 1 | |
| Major Ron Joy - part 2 | |
| Senator Tommy Williams | |
| Wilton Watson - part 1 | |
| Wilton Watson - part 2 | |
| Wilton Watson - part 3 | |
More Information
Work Zone Awareness Handouts
125 East 11th Street • Austin, Texas 78701