New statistics show decline in work zone fatalities

New statistics show decline in work zone fatalities

Despite positive trend for 2024, stats show average of 2 people killed per day

Today, as National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW) kicks off, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) released data showing the number of people killed in work zones in 2024 decreased from the prior year.

Graphic courtesy of FHWA.

In 2024, 850 people were killed in work zones, a decrease from 905 in 2023, according to an FHWA report produced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Fatality Analysis Reporting system 2023 Final File and 2024 Annual Report File, the most recent statistics available.

However, even with that decline, on average, at least two people are killed in work zones every day, NHTSA data shows.

Of the people killed in 2024, 673 were drivers and passengers, down from 709 in 2023, according to the report. Pedestrian deaths also declined—from 196 in 2023 to 177 in 2024.

The report’s release coincides with the start of NWZAW, an annual campaign held each spring to encourage safe driving through roadway work zones.

“While the recent decline in work zone deaths is encouraging, we will never be satisfied until we reach our goal of zero deaths in roadway work zone crashes,” said ATSSA President & CEO Stacy Tetschner. “National Work Zone Awareness Week seeks to increase attention to the role everyone plays in protecting roadway workers and seeing that they make it home safely. But it also notes the dangers to drivers, their passengers and pedestrians, all of whom come into play in this year’s theme: Safe Actions Save Lives.”

National Work Zone Awareness Week was established in 1999 as a partnership between ATSSA, FHWA and the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO). The idea started in southwestern Virginia in 1997 with a group of Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) employees interested in bringing attention to work zone safety ahead of peak roadway work.

NWZAW now includes activities across the country with participation from state departments of transportation (DOT), national road safety organizations, government agencies, private companies and individuals.

Each day of the week involves a different focus.

Today: Work Zone Safety Training Day at businesses across the country

Tuesday: National kickoff event hosted by Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT), livestreamed from Farmington, Conn., at 10 a.m. ET via CT‑N (https://ct-n.com/).

Wednesday: Go Orange Day

Thursday: Social media storm. Spread the word about work zone safety using hashtags #NWZAW and #WorkZoneSafety between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. ET. ​

Friday: Moment of Silence. Arrange your own time and ceremony to honor the people killed in work zone crashes.

For details and more ideas on how to show your support, go to nwzaw.org.