As part of National Work Zone Awareness Week, Caltrans District 2 is reminding motorists that the men and women in work zones are working to keep California’s highways safe and deserve to make it home at the end of every shift.
Highway construction and maintenance remain among some of the most dangerous jobs in the country, with distracted and inattentive driving posing one of the greatest risks to roadway workers. Since 1921, 195 Caltrans employees have lost their lives on the job.
In California alone, there were more than 9,500 work zone crashes in 2023, resulting in nearly 3,000 injuries and 71 fatalities.
“Behind every work zone are people, individuals with families, friends, and lives beyond the job,” said Caltrans District 2 Director Dave Moore. “Our employees are out there maintaining and improving the roads we all rely on, and they deserve to go home safely at the end of every shift. Slowing down, staying alert, and eliminating all distractions can make all the difference.”
Work zones are active environments where conditions can change quickly, requiring both workers and drivers to always stay alert. From lane shifts and reduced speeds to crews working just feet from traffic, even a moment of inattention can have serious consequences.
“Our maintenance crews are working just feet away from live traffic, often in challenging conditions,” said District 2 Maintenance Manager Roger Lucas. “They take that responsibility seriously, but they also depend on drivers to do their part. When motorists slow down, follow directions, and stay focused, it creates a safer environment for everyone, including themselves.”
National Work Zone Awareness Week serves as a reminder that safety is a shared responsibility. Drivers play a critical role in protecting both workers and themselves.
What Drivers Can Do:
- Slow down when approaching work zones
- Move over when it is safe to do so
- Eliminate distractions
- Follow posted signs and flaggers
- Be patient — delays are temporary, lives are not
Nationally, drivers and passengers make up the majority of those killed in work zone crashes, highlighting that unsafe driving behaviors impact everyone on the road.
Caltrans remains committed to its goal of zero fatalities and serious injuries on California’s state highway system, but reaching that goal requires cooperation from every driver.
“This week, and every week, we’re asking the public to remember: the people you see working on the road have families waiting for them at home.”
