Work zone and move over safety: protect road crews, responders and you
How to drive through work zones, read flaggers and move over for crews and responders
At 11 p.m. on an interstate, an orange sign warns that the right lane ends in a mile, where a paving crew works a few feet from traffic. Farther on, a tow truck’s amber lights flash beside a crashed pickup.
For the people on foot, a line of cones offers almost no physical protection. Your speed, spacing and attention do the protecting. In 2024, 850 people were killed and 42,094 were injured in work zone crashes, according to NSC’s analysis of federal data [1].
Here is how traffic incident professionals would have you handle speed, lane shifts, flaggers, phones, move over laws and the crash after the crash.
Who gets hurt in work zones and roadside scenes
Most people killed in work zones are inside vehicles: of the 850 deaths in 2024, NSC counted 523 drivers, 150 passengers, 156 pedestrians and 13 bicyclists [1]. The pattern holds over time: in 2022, drivers and passengers made up 742 of 891 work zone deaths, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) reports [7].
Deaths fell 12% from 2021 to 2024 but remain 45% higher than in 2010 [1].
Road workers. From 2015 to 2024, road construction sites saw 82 to 143 worker deaths a year from all causes, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data [8]. In 2022 to 2024, about 53% involved a worker on foot struck by a vehicle, though the data can’t separate passing drivers from construction vehicles [8].
Responders. Police, firefighters, emergency medical services (EMS) crews, tow operators and highway service patrols also work beside live traffic. In 2025, 13 law enforcement officers were struck and killed outside their vehicles, according to National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund data cited by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) [3]. In 2024, about 33,000 crashes happened along road shoulders. Of those, 578 were fatal [3].
How a work zone is laid out
Most temporary work zones have the same 4 parts, defined in the federal Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) [9].
Comparison compiled by Safety Behind the Wheel Foundation
| Part of the zone | What you’ll see | What it asks of you |
|---|---|---|
| Advance warning area | Orange diamond signs, sometimes message boards | Put the phone away, read the signs, start slowing |
| Transition area | A taper of cones or barrels that shifts or closes lanes | Be in your lane and at the posted speed before you reach it |
| Activity area | Workers, equipment and an empty buffer space | Hold your lane and speed; expect people near the edge |
| Termination area | An END ROAD WORK sign | Return to normal speed only after you pass it |
The buffer is empty space that separates traffic from the work area [9]. It is never an extra lane or a place to pass.
Speed and spacing: the two biggest levers
In 2024, speed was a factor in more than a third of fatal work zone crashes. Rear end collisions made up nearly a quarter [2]. New York’s driver manual calls the rear end crash the most common work zone crash [10].
Those numbers are linked because work zones squeeze traffic. Lines of stopped cars form quickly, often just past a curve or hill. At 60 mph you travel 88 feet each second. That means a 1.5 second reaction covers 132 feet before you even brake (our calculations).
Slowing down costs less time than most drivers expect: crossing a 2 mile work zone at 45 mph instead of 65 mph adds about 49 seconds (our calculation).
Following distance. New York’s manual advises at least 2 seconds of braking distance in work zones [10]. Treat that as the floor and aim for 4 seconds or more, which is about 323 feet at 55 mph (our calculation).
Fines. Penalties vary by state. In New York, speeding fines double in work zones even when no workers are present [10]. In Pennsylvania, fines double for certain violations, including speeding, in active work zones, where workers are on or near the road [11]. Pennsylvania also requires headlights, not just daytime running lights, in active work zones [11].
Lane shifts, merges and flaggers
Inside a work zone, follow the cones, barrels and new temporary lines, even where old lines still show through. Avoid changing lanes inside the zone unless signs or workers direct you to.
Pennsylvania’s manual says to prepare to change lanes as soon as a sign says your lane is closed [11]. New York warns against racing to the end of a closing lane [10]. Where signs say to use both lanes and take turns at the merge point, follow them. Our guide to merging and highway driving explains when the zipper merge works best.
Flaggers. In New York, a flagger’s directions carry the same authority as a sign. Pennsylvania’s manual says they override normal traffic controls [10, 11]. The MUTCD makes the STOP/SLOW paddle the preferred signaling device [9]:
- STOP face toward you, arm held out: stop and wait [9].
- SLOW face held still: slow down and stay alert [9].
- SLOW face plus a wave of the free hand: proceed slowly [9].
Stop where the flagger indicates, not right beside them. On a one lane stretch, stay stopped until you’re waved on, since traffic may be coming from the far end even if the road looks clear.
Approaching a work zone: a 7 step routine
- First orange sign: Put the phone down, turn the music low, and scan far ahead for brake lights.
- Read the plan: Note which lane closes, the posted speed limit and whether a flagger is ahead.
- Brake early and gently: Reach the posted speed before the taper so the driver behind you sees you slowing.
- Open your space: Build to 4 seconds or more, and more behind trucks.
- Take your lane and hold it: Merge as the signs direct, then stay put.
- Watch for people and equipment: Look for workers near the cones and trucks entering or leaving the work area.
- Exit cleanly: Resume normal speed only after the END ROAD WORK sign.
Speed cameras and enforcement
The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) table, with laws reviewed in June 2025, lists 11 states that allow work zone speed cameras in some form (our count) [12]. They include Illinois, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington. Some states require workers or an officer to be present [12].
In Pennsylvania’s program, cameras ticket only in active work zones with workers present, and only drivers going 11 mph or more over the limit [13]. A first violation brings a warning, followed by fines of $75 and then $150 [13]. FHWA’s case study reports fewer crashes where cameras were used. From 2020 to 2023, about 17% of violators received a repeat notice [13].
Phones and other distractions
Distraction was involved in more than 1 in 8 fatal work zone crashes in 2024 [2]. Because distraction is hard to confirm after a crash, the true share may be higher. A work zone fills your eyes with shifting lanes, signs, people and machines, leaving nothing to spare for a screen.
More than 30 states ban handheld phone use for all drivers. Five others, Arkansas, Florida, Kansas, Oklahoma and Wisconsin, apply a handheld ban in work zones, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) [14].
Set your navigation before you leave so it can warn you about closures. Turn on your phone’s driving focus mode or hand the phone to a passenger. Never film a crash or work site while driving.
Night work zones
More than half of fatal work zone crashes in 2024 happened at night [2]. Night work keeps daytime traffic moving. But it brings its own risks: light traffic tempts higher speeds, some drivers are tired, and work lights can cause glare.
Slow down more than you would in daylight. Expect the layout to change from one night to the next. If lights glare, glance toward the right edge of your lane. Watch for reflective vests and trucks pulling in or out.
Move over: what the law asks and how to do it
All 50 states and Washington, D.C., have move over laws. At their core, these laws require you to give emergency vehicles with flashing lights more room and less speed [3]. Some states have widened the list to include tow trucks, utility and road crews, garbage trucks and disabled vehicles [3]. Two examples show how the details vary:
- Florida: Move over a lane for emergency, service, utility and disabled vehicles. If that isn’t safe, slow to 20 mph below the limit, or to 5 mph where the limit is 20 mph or less [4]. Since January 1, 2025, the law covers any vehicle stopped roadside with hazard lights, flares or emergency signs [4].
- Pennsylvania: Change to a lane that doesn’t border the emergency scene, or slow down if you can’t [11]. The law covers police, fire, EMS, tow and highway crews, among others, with fines of up to $250 for a first offense and $1,000 for a third [11].
Moving over adds side space, while slowing down adds time and cuts the force of any crash. Passing at 70 mph carries about twice the crash energy of passing at 50 mph (our calculation).
Secondary crashes: the crash after the crash
A secondary crash happens in the backup or at the scene of an earlier incident. FHWA’s Traffic Incident Management (TIM) program, which aims to clear incidents safely and quickly, warns that incidents raise the risk of secondary crashes and endanger responders [5].
FHWA’s 2008 review cited a national estimate that 14% to 18% of incidents are secondary [6]. After Atlanta expanded its incident management practices, secondary incidents fell 69% in 12 months, from 676 to 210 [6]. That’s why responders work to open lanes fast, and why your choices matter:
- Spot the queue early. Slow down as soon as you see brake lights or flashing lights ahead. Tap your brakes to warn the driver behind you.
- Skip the rubbernecking. Slowing to stare creates new sudden stops, so keep your eyes on the car ahead.
- Call, don’t stop. On a busy highway, call 911 instead of pulling over to help.
- Clear minor crashes. In its 2008 review, FHWA found about half the states required drivers to move vehicles out of travel lanes after minor crashes [6]. If no one is hurt and your car can be driven, follow your state’s rule, as our roadside breakdown guide explains.
Advice for teens and parents
Parents can prepare teens before their first trip through a busy work zone.
- Narrate together. On drives, ask your teen to name each part of the zone and the next step.
- Practice flagger stops. Review the paddle signals before driving through a flagged project.
- Start in daylight. Save busy night work zones for later, and keep the phone out of reach.
- Rehearse the move over decision, including what to do when there’s no room to change lanes.
Advice for commercial and fleet drivers
Large trucks or buses were involved in nearly one third of fatal work zone crashes in 2024 [2]. From 2020 to 2022, the share was over 30% in work zones versus about 13% elsewhere, FHWA found [15].
For drivers: Slow before the taper, since a loaded truck needs far more room to stop. Watch two or three vehicles ahead for brake lights. Plan move over lane changes early, because a long vehicle needs a bigger gap.
For fleet managers:
- Add work zone and move over expectations to your driving policy and training.
- Use routing tools that show work zones and closures.
- Review telematics for hard braking in work zones, and coach the patterns you find.
- Plan overnight runs to limit fatigue, since most fatal work zone crashes happen at night [2].
Frequently asked questions
Do fines really double in work zones?
It depends on the state. New York doubles speeding fines even when no workers are there [10]. Pennsylvania doubles fines for certain violations in active work zones [11].
Do I have to follow the work zone speed limit if no one is working?
Treat a posted work zone limit as in force unless signs say otherwise, since lane shifts and narrow lanes remain after crews leave. New York applies higher fines even with no workers present [10].
What should I do if I can’t move over?
Stay in your lane, slow well below the limit and keep as far from the scene as your lane allows. Florida, for example, requires slowing to 20 mph under the limit when moving over isn’t safe [4].
Do move over laws apply to cars with hazard lights on?
In some states, yes: Florida’s law has covered any vehicle stopped roadside with hazard lights since January 2025 [4]. Moving over is the safe choice everywhere.
The bottom line
Recommendation from Safety Behind the Wheel Foundation
From the first orange sign or flashing light, slow down early and leave at least 4 seconds of space. Keep your phone out of reach. Move over a lane for any vehicle stopped with lights flashing, or slow well below the limit if you can’t.
Related articles
- Merging and highway driving: how to enter, cruise and exit safely
- Safe following distance: the 3 second rule and when to add more
- Roadside breakdown safety: what to do when your car breaks down
- Speeding and speed management: why a few mph matter so much
- Distracted driving policy at work: a guide for employers and drivers
Sources and further reading
- 1National Safety Council (NSC). Work Zones, Injury Facts. Modified June 1, 2026. injuryfacts.nsc.org/…/work-zones
- 2Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). FHWA’s 2026 National Work Zone Awareness Week Factsheet. FHWA-HOP-26-060. Posted April 20, 2026. ops.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/HOP-26-060_FHWA_NWZAW_Factsheet.pdf
- 3U.S. Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Move Over (First Responder Safety campaign materials), TrafficSafetyMarketing.gov. Accessed October 2026. trafficsafetymarketing.gov/…/move-over
- 4Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV). Move Over. Accessed October 2026. flhsmv.gov/safety-center/driving-safety/move-over
- 5Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Office of Operations. Traffic Incident Management. Accessed October 2026. ops.fhwa.dot.gov/tim
- 6Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). Traffic Incident Management Quick Clearance Laws: A National Review of Best Practices (chapters on role and relevance of quick clearance laws, and driver removal laws). FHWA-HOP-09-005. December 2008. ops.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/fhwahop09005
- 7Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Work Zone Management Program. Work Zone Facts and Statistics. Data as of April 2024. ops.fhwa.dot.gov/wz/resources/facts_stats.htm
- 8National Work Zone Safety Information Clearinghouse (ARTBA Transportation Development Foundation, operated in cooperation with FHWA). Worker Fatalities and Injuries at Road Construction Sites (Bureau of Labor Statistics data). May 28, 2026. workzonesafety.org/…/worker-fatalities-and-injuries-at-road-construction-sites
- 9Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, 11th Edition, Part 6: Temporary Traffic Control (temporary traffic control zone areas; flagger hand-signaling devices). December 2023. mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/pdfs/11th_Edition/part6.pdf
- 10New York State Department of Motor Vehicles. Driver’s Manual, Chapter 8: Defensive Driving (Work Zones). Accessed October 2026. dmv.ny.gov/…/chapter-8-defensive-driving
- 11Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT). Pennsylvania Driver’s Manual: Special Circumstances and Emergencies (Work Zones; Steer Clear Law). Accessed October 2026. pa.gov/…/special-circumstances-and-emergencies
- 12Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA). Speed and Red Light Cameras (state law table). Updated October 2025; laws last reviewed by State Highway Safety Offices June 2025. ghsa.org/state-laws-issues/speed-red-light-cameras
- 13Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). Case Study of Pennsylvania’s Work Zone Speed Safety Camera Program. FHWA-HOP-24-071. Posted January 17, 2025. ops.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/fhwahop24071/fhwahop24071.pdf
- 14Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Electronic Device Laws (state law table). Current as of October 2026. iihs.org/…/electronic-device-laws
- 15Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Work Zone Management Program. Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) Safety in Work Zones. Accessed October 2026. ops.fhwa.dot.gov/wz/cmv_safety
This article reflects the safety priorities of highway work zone safety and traffic incident management. It is general education, not legal or professional advice for any individual. Laws, data and road designs change, so verify details with official sources such as your state DMV. Reviewed October 2026.
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