As the weather warms up, drivers can expect to see more pedestrians, cyclists and motorcycle riders on the roads. Another sign of spring that requires attention? Bright orange cones signaling road work. During National Work Zone Awareness Week (April 20-24) and year-round, AAA Northeast is urging drivers to practice safe driving in work zones to help ensure roadside workers can do their jobs safely.
More than 2,100 people nationwide were struck and killed on the roadside from 2019 to 2023, according to a new study from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. Exacerbating the problem, at least six of the 15 roadside workers killed in traffic crashes in 2023 were struck by a driver who fled the scene.
Slow Down, Move Over (SDMO) laws aim to protect those who are vulnerable at the roadside. While details vary by state, every U.S. state has some type of SDMO law. However, new AAA research shows that many drivers don’t fully understand the laws: Only 66% of drivers surveyed believed that their state’s SDMO law required drivers to take any special actions when passing a stopped police car on the shoulder of the highway, and only 58% said the same for tow trucks. In states where laws protect all stopped vehicles, fewer than half of drivers believed they were required to take any special action when passing a lone disabled vehicle without incident responders present.
“For maintenance crews working to improve our roads and tow truck drivers helping drivers get to safety, doing their job often means being in a very vulnerable position as vehicles pass at high speeds,” said Jillian Young, director of public relations for AAA Northeast. “Drivers can help protect those doing important work at the roadside by slowing down and moving over. As construction season ramps up, it’s especially important to obey posted speed limits and use caution when driving through work zones.”
AAA Northeast urges drivers to:
- Always remain alert. Avoid distractions and focus on the task of driving.
- Scan the road ahead to identify any potential hazards. Watch for situations where first responders, construction crews, tow operators or disabled motorists are stopped on the side of the road.
- Slow down to a safe speed and move over, if it’s safe to do so, when approaching a vehicle on the shoulder.
State-specific data:
In Connecticut, from 2021 to 2025, there were more than 4,800 work zone-related crashes. Over 800 resulted in injuries, and 16 were fatal.
In Massachusetts, from 2021 to 2025, there were more than 10,300 work zone-related crashes according to the Massachusetts IMPACT crash data portal. Over 2,000 resulted in injuries, and 29 were fatal.
In New York in 2025, there were over 570 crashes in work zones on New York State roads resulting in 87 injuries and three fatalities, according to the New York Department of Transportation. On the New York State Thruway system alone, the number of crashes in work zones increased by 46% from 2024 to 2025.
In New Jersey, from 2021 to 2025, there were more than 18,700 work zone-related crashes, according to Numetric. Over 3,800 resulted in injuries and 39 were fatal.
Last updated on April 27, 2026 by AAA Staff
Based in Rhode Island, Jillian Young is AAA Northeast’s director of public relations. She regularly appears in local TV, radio and print media to discuss traffic safety, travel, insurance and more.
