Little Rock, Arkansas – The Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) is set to kick off National Work Zone Awareness Week with a press event at the Little Rock Air Force Base on Monday, April 21, at 11 a.m. The week-long campaign, running from April 21 to 25, is part of a broader national initiative to promote driver caution and reduce accidents in highway work zones.
Observed each spring at the start of construction season, National Work Zone Awareness Week is dedicated to raising public awareness about the importance of safe driving through active roadwork areas. This year, Arkansas is taking a more aggressive approach to improving work zone safety following an increase in traffic incidents across the state and the nation.
In response to the growing number of work zone-related crashes, the Arkansas Legislature recently passed three new laws aimed at strengthening protections for both road crews and motorists. The new legislation emphasizes safer driving habits, increased awareness, and stricter enforcement in construction zones.
ACT 117 mandates that the Arkansas Driver’s Instruction Manual and license examinations now include specific information about how to safely operate a vehicle in highway work zones. The intent is to educate new drivers from the start and reinforce the need for caution when approaching work crews and traffic cones.
ACT 209 allows green lights to be installed on roadway construction and maintenance vehicles, a change from previous restrictions on lamp colors. This visual cue is designed to make these vehicles more visible to approaching drivers, especially in poor lighting or weather conditions.
ACT 327 introduces the concept of “mobile work zones” and authorizes additional penalties for moving traffic violations committed within these zones. Drivers who speed or drive recklessly near mobile maintenance units can now expect heavier fines.
“This legislation is about improving safety for road workers and the traveling public,” said ARDOT Director Jared D. Wiley. “When you encounter a work zone, please slow down, be alert, and obey traffic laws. We owe this to the men and women working to improve our roads. They deserve to be protected on the job.”
Transportation leaders and law enforcement officials alike are applauding the legislation. They emphasize that crashes in work zones are often caused by distracted or aggressive drivers, and that many of these accidents are entirely preventable.
“We see far too many close calls and tragedies in work zones,” said Arkansas State Highway Commission Chairman Philip Taldo. “These changes give us the tools to better protect everyone on the road.”
According to national data, work zone incidents can lead to serious injuries and fatalities, not only for road workers but also for drivers and passengers. With more construction projects planned for 2025, Arkansas officials hope this year’s awareness campaign and recent legal reforms will significantly improve highway safety.
The campaign itself was founded through collaboration between the American Traffic Safety Services Association, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, and the Federal Highway Administration. Each year, states across the country join together to remind drivers that work zone safety starts with them.
The event at Little Rock Air Force Base will be open to the public, providing an opportunity for attendees to learn more about the risks facing road crews and the steps drivers can take to keep themselves and others safe.
As Arkansas continues to invest in its road infrastructure, officials are urging all drivers to be partners in safety by slowing down, paying attention, and treating work zones with the caution they deserve. With legislative support and public participation, they believe a safer travel environment is within reach.
