TDOT: 29 work zone crashes have already occurred in 2024

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) – The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) is joining other agencies across the country in observing National Work Zone Awareness Week.

TDOT’s Work With Us campaign encourages drivers to move over and slow down when around highway workers. The 2024 theme of the campaign is “Work zones are temporary, your actions behind the wheel can last forever.”

The department said in a news release that 113 TDOT workers have been killed while working on Tennessee roads.

TDOT reports that as of Monday, 29 incidents involving drivers crashing into TDOT equipment and vehicles have occurred in 2024. In 2023, a total of 22 people died in work zone crashes.

TDOT spokesperson Mark Nagi told News Channel 11 that crews are often taking a risk each time they head out to work on roadways.

“It’s something that every day of the year, we’re trying to keep them safe,” Nagi said. “I mean, we want them to get home to their families, just like everybody that is driving around is trying to get to their destinations.”

Work Zone Awareness Week lasts through Friday.

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