For Your Own Safety: Respect Our Work Zones
Every day, hundreds of Oregonians put their lives on the line to maintain, repair, and protect our roads. Work zones are more than just construction sites - they include incident responders, state troopers, tow truck drivers, maintenance crews, flaggers, and cleanup teams working mere feet from fast-moving traffic.
Their safety is in your hands. A moment of distraction or speeding through a work zone can cost lives. Slow down. Stay alert. Drive like someone’s life depends on it -because it does.
What Does a Work Zone Look Like?
Work zones are not always large construction projects. They come in different forms, and you might not even realize you're driving through one.
- Construction Zones – Paving crews, bridge repairs, lane expansions
- Traffic Incidents – Emergency responders assisting stranded drivers
- Maintenance Work – Tree trimming, pothole repairs, sign replacements
- Towing Operations – Tow truck drivers helping disabled vehicles
- Traffic Control – Flaggers keeping work zones safe
- Cleanup Crews – Removing debris, roadside litter, and hazards
Oregon law requires drivers to move over or slow down for all roadside workers - including emergency responders, tow truck drivers, and maintenance crews.
Why Respecting Work Zones Matters
- Work zone crashes are preventable. Speeding, distractions, and impatience put lives at risk.
- Workers have little protection. A traffic cone or a sign will not stop a car.
- Fines double in work zones. Oregon law imposes increased penalties for traffic violations in work zones.
See Work Zone Safety in Action