Transportation Officials Urge Caution in Work Zones Following Recent Crashes
May 2, 2026/
The National Work Zone Safety Awareness campaign was held in recent days as the number of work zone crews鈥攁nd roadway workers nationwide鈥攊ncreases. Charlie Gischlar, Deputy Director of Communications for the Maryland State Highway Administration, tells the Talk of Delmarva it has been a tragic last week, with multiple fatal crashes reported in work zones.
On Monday, April 26th, in Delaware, a DelDOT tractor was struck by a southbound vehicle on Route 1 near Duck Creek in Smyrna, causing extensive damage to both the mower and the vehicle. The DelDOT employee escaped serious injury. The driver was cited by Delaware State police. Motorists are reminded to drive attentively, slow down, and move over when possible in work zones.
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Gischlar tells the Talk of Delmarva what contributes to most of these types of crashes.
During the observance of National Work Zone Awareness Week, April 20-24, with the theme, “Safe Actions Save Lives,” officials released data showing decreases in 2025 for work zone crashes, fatalities and injuries compared to 2024, as well as a reduction in citations in the first full year of Maryland鈥檚 new tiered fine structure for work zone speed violations.
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Gischlar says thanks to the work zone safety bill that passed in 2025, they have increased the availability of automated speed enforcement. They have also put in variable speed limits signs and a tiered fine system as well. He adds that they are using what is called HAAS System that can alert motorists that have navigational aids including Google Maps –that lets drivers know a work zone is ahead. Maryland drivers in the areas of larger work zones will see an increased police presence– combining automated speed enforcement with traditional law enforcement to help protect highway workers. People can get more information by going to roads.maryland.gov.
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Original Post:
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A Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) employee avoided serious injury earlier this week, after being struck by a vehicle while mowing grass along Route 1 near Duck Creek in Smyrna. Officials say the driver of a vehicle heading southbound veered off the roadway and hit the tractor, causing significant damage to both the mower and the vehicle. The driver was cited by Delaware State Police. The incident comes shortly after National Work Zone Awareness Week, observed each April at the start of peak construction season. DelDOT is reminding motorists to remain alert, reduce speed, and move over when possible in work zones. The reminder follows two recent fatal work zone crashes involving Maryland Department of Transportation workers, underscoring the importance of driver awareness across the region.