“Safe Actions Save Lives”: North Carolina Observes Work Zone Awareness Week

RALEIGH, N.C. – Drivers are urged to slow down, stay alert and avoid distractions as transportation officials mark North Carolina Work Zone Awareness Week, April 20-24, to improve safety in roadway work zones.

The North Carolina Governor’s Highway Safety Program and its partners kicked off the campaign with a press conference at the Interstate 95 South Welcome Center in Northampton County, bringing together state and federal officials, safety advocates and transportation workers to highlight the importance of protecting both the roadway workers and the traveling public.

“Work zones demand our full attention,” said Mark Ezzell, director of the N.C. Governor’s Highway Safety Program. “Whether you’re driving through or working alongside the road, everyone deserves to make it home safely. Safe actions behind the wheel truly save lives.”

Work zone crashes continue to have a serious impact across North Carolina. Between 2020 and 2025, 215 people were killed in nearly 38,900 work zone crashes statewide. In 2025 alone, 28 people lost their lives in work zones, including seven workers, eight pedestrians and 13 drivers.

“Too many families have been affected by preventable work zone crashes,” Ezzell said. “Speeding and distracted driving remain leading causes. Slowing down, staying focused and following traffic laws can make all the difference.”

Throughout the week, the N.C. Department of Transportation will share safety messages, videos and resources to remind drivers to use caution when traveling through work zones. The campaign also highlights the national theme, “Safe Actions Save Lives,” reinforcing the shared responsibility between drivers and workers.

On any given day, hundreds of active work zones exist across N.C. as crews work to maintain and improve the state’s transportation infrastructure. Officials stress that drivers play a critical role in keeping these areas safe.