The Arizona Department of Transportation called on drivers to be vigilant and slow down in highway work zones during National Work Zone Awareness Week, which runs from April 20-24. The agency said this year’s theme is “Safe actions save lives.”
Highway projects are ongoing across Arizona as part of efforts to maintain and improve road safety. ADOT maintenance crews often work close to fast-moving traffic, making driver attentiveness crucial for the safety of both workers and motorists.
“Safety is ADOT’s number one priority and our crews work diligently to improve state highways and make travel safer for the public,” Jennifer Toth, director of the Arizona Department of Transportation, said. “To do that, we need drivers to help keep our workers and themselves safe in work zones by staying alert, obeying the speed limit, and following traffic cones and barriers so we all can arrive at our destinations.”
According to the Federal Highway Administration, about 80% of work zone fatalities nationwide involve drivers or their passengers. In Arizona since 2021, at least 80 people have died in crashes related to work zones on local streets and state highways. Recent statistics show there were 13 fatalities in 2021; 11 in 2022; 17 in 2023; a preliminary count of 23 in 2024; and an early estimate of 16 so far for 2025.
Speeding remains a major cause of these incidents with rear-end collisions being most common. Drivers are urged not only to follow posted signs but also avoid distractions such as tailgating while passing through active construction areas.
Arizona Department of Transportation manages various facilities including rest areas, snowplow operations with specialized equipment, and highway cameras for monitoring according to the official website. The department aims to safely link individuals across Arizona while supporting economic growth through its transportation initiatives according to its official website. Toth oversees planning, design, construction, maintenance, and operation of these systems according to the agency.
ADOT extends its efforts statewide by handling highway projects across multiple districts—from Grand Canyon National Airport sites down to southern border ports—according to its official site. The department also works alongside regional partners on corridor studies as well as traveler information systems according to ADOT, offering services like AZ511 traveler updates along with infrastructure enhancements at airports and ports as reported by ADOT.
More information about safe driving practices around roadwork can be found at azdot.gov/work-zone.
