Paying attention and driving carefully is important every time drivers get behind the wheel, but it is especially important in work zones, where laborers perform highway construction, maintenance, or utility work. Because they often have uneven roads and workers close to traffic, work zones are places where accidents are all too common.
Though there are many safety measures in place to make work zones safe, there are still hundreds of accidents in these zones every year. Unfortunately, many of these crashes are fatal. More than 4,000 drivers, passengers, workers, pedestrians, and others were killed in work zones from 2016 to 2020. Such accidents are much more common in some states than others.
To determine the states with the deadliest work zones, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. States were ranked on the rate of auto-related deaths in work zones per million licensed drivers for the years 2016-2020. Other non-occupants were included in the worker, pedestrian, and cyclist category.Â
From 2016 to 2020, there were 17.8 work zone fatalities per million licensed drivers across the U.S. In the safest state, the work zone fatality rate was 2.6 fatalities per million licensed drivers. In the two deadliest states, there were more than 40 work zone fatalities per million licensed drivers. (See also, this state has worst highways in America.)
It can be difficult to determine why some states are much more prone to work zone fatalities than others. Research indicates that many auto collisions taking place within work zones are not recorded as work-zone accidents, and many of those that are recorded had nothing to do with work zone activities.Â
It stands to reason that states with more work zones have more opportunity for accidents. Many states have a high share of roads and bridges that are structurally deficient. These are the states with the most structurally deficient bridges.
Click here to see states where work zone car crashes kill the most people.
Source: pidjoe / E+ via Getty Images
50. New York
> Work zone fatality rate: 2.62 deaths per million licensed drivers
> Total work zone fatalities, 2016-2020: 32
> Vehicle occupant fatalities: 17
> Worker, pedestrian, and cyclist fatalities: 15
[in-text-ad]
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
49. Washington
> Work zone fatality rate: 5.16 deaths per million licensed drivers
> Total work zone fatalities, 2016-2020: 30
> Vehicle occupant fatalities: 27
> Worker, pedestrian, and cyclist fatalities: 3
Source: DenisTangneyJr / E+ via Getty Images
48. Massachusetts
> Work zone fatality rate: 5.87 deaths per million licensed drivers
> Total work zone fatalities, 2016-2020: 29
> Vehicle occupant fatalities: 23
> Worker, pedestrian, and cyclist fatalities: 6
Source: georgeolsson / E+ via Getty Images
47. New Jersey
> Work zone fatality rate: 6.10 deaths per million licensed drivers
> Total work zone fatalities, 2016-2020: 38
> Vehicle occupant fatalities: 34
> Worker, pedestrian, and cyclist fatalities: 4
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
46. Connecticut
> Work zone fatality rate: 7.18 deaths per million licensed drivers
> Total work zone fatalities, 2016-2020: 18
> Vehicle occupant fatalities: 16
> Worker, pedestrian, and cyclist fatalities: 2
Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
45. New Hampshire
> Work zone fatality rate: 7.54 deaths per million licensed drivers
> Total work zone fatalities, 2016-2020: 8
> Vehicle occupant fatalities: 5
> Worker, pedestrian, and cyclist fatalities: 3
[in-text-ad]
Source: Image Source / Image Source via Getty Images
44. Rhode Island
> Work zone fatality rate: 8.20 deaths per million licensed drivers
> Total work zone fatalities, 2016-2020: 6
> Vehicle occupant fatalities: 4
> Worker, pedestrian, and cyclist fatalities: 2
Source: vitpho / iStock via Getty Images
43. Vermont
> Work zone fatality rate: 8.68 deaths per million licensed drivers
> Total work zone fatalities, 2016-2020: 4
> Vehicle occupant fatalities: 2
> Worker, pedestrian, and cyclist fatalities: 2
Source: XXLPhoto / iStock via Getty Images
42. Oregon
> Work zone fatality rate: 9.17 deaths per million licensed drivers
> Total work zone fatalities, 2016-2020: 27
> Vehicle occupant fatalities: 21
> Worker, pedestrian, and cyclist fatalities: 6
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: haveseen / iStock via Getty Images
41. Maine
> Work zone fatality rate: 9.54 deaths per million licensed drivers
> Total work zone fatalities, 2016-2020: 10
> Vehicle occupant fatalities: 9
> Worker, pedestrian, and cyclist fatalities: 1
Source: floridastock / iStock via Getty Images
40. Maryland
> Work zone fatality rate: 9.88 deaths per million licensed drivers
> Total work zone fatalities, 2016-2020: 44
> Vehicle occupant fatalities: 25
> Worker, pedestrian, and cyclist fatalities: 19
[in-text-ad]
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
39. Virginia
> Work zone fatality rate: 9.98 deaths per million licensed drivers
> Total work zone fatalities, 2016-2020: 59
> Vehicle occupant fatalities: 48
> Worker, pedestrian, and cyclist fatalities: 11
24/7 Wall St.
Source: Alex Potemkin / iStock via Getty Images
38. Pennsylvania
> Work zone fatality rate: 10.19 deaths per million licensed drivers
> Total work zone fatalities, 2016-2020: 91
> Vehicle occupant fatalities: 79
> Worker, pedestrian, and cyclist fatalities: 12
37. Colorado
> Work zone fatality rate: 11.16 deaths per million licensed drivers
> Total work zone fatalities, 2016-2020: 48
> Vehicle occupant fatalities: 37
> Worker, pedestrian, and cyclist fatalities: 11
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: rodclementphotography / iStock via Getty Images
36. North Carolina
> Work zone fatality rate: 11.39 deaths per million licensed drivers
> Total work zone fatalities, 2016-2020: 87
> Vehicle occupant fatalities: 67
> Worker, pedestrian, and cyclist fatalities: 20
Source: YinYang / E+ via Getty Images
35. Minnesota
> Work zone fatality rate: 12.47 deaths per million licensed drivers
> Total work zone fatalities, 2016-2020: 51
> Vehicle occupant fatalities: 38
> Worker, pedestrian, and cyclist fatalities: 13
[in-text-ad]
Source: smontgom65 / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
34. Michigan
> Work zone fatality rate: 12.81 deaths per million licensed drivers
> Total work zone fatalities, 2016-2020: 90
> Vehicle occupant fatalities: 68
> Worker, pedestrian, and cyclist fatalities: 22
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
33. Ohio
> Work zone fatality rate: 13.21 deaths per million licensed drivers
> Total work zone fatalities, 2016-2020: 107
> Vehicle occupant fatalities: 83
> Worker, pedestrian, and cyclist fatalities: 24
32. South Dakota
> Work zone fatality rate: 13.68 deaths per million licensed drivers
> Total work zone fatalities, 2016-2020: 9
> Vehicle occupant fatalities: 7
> Worker, pedestrian, and cyclist fatalities: 2
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: vlvart / iStock via Getty Images
31. California
> Work zone fatality rate: 13.74 deaths per million licensed drivers
> Total work zone fatalities, 2016-2020: 371
> Vehicle occupant fatalities: 291
> Worker, pedestrian, and cyclist fatalities: 80
Source: Ivelin Denev / iStock via Getty Images
30. Kentucky
> Work zone fatality rate: 13.77 deaths per million licensed drivers
> Total work zone fatalities, 2016-2020: 40
> Vehicle occupant fatalities: 38
> Worker, pedestrian, and cyclist fatalities: 2
[in-text-ad]
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
29. South Carolina
> Work zone fatality rate: 14.34 deaths per million licensed drivers
> Total work zone fatalities, 2016-2020: 56
> Vehicle occupant fatalities: 47
> Worker, pedestrian, and cyclist fatalities: 9
24/7 Wall St.
28. Louisiana
> Work zone fatality rate: 14.63 deaths per million licensed drivers
> Total work zone fatalities, 2016-2020: 50
> Vehicle occupant fatalities: 46
> Worker, pedestrian, and cyclist fatalities: 4
Source: Tiago_Fernandez / iStock via Getty Images
27. Mississippi
> Work zone fatality rate: 14.87 deaths per million licensed drivers
> Total work zone fatalities, 2016-2020: 30
> Vehicle occupant fatalities: 29
> Worker, pedestrian, and cyclist fatalities: 1
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Ultima_Gaina / iStock via Getty Images
26. Delaware
> Work zone fatality rate: 15.68 deaths per million licensed drivers
> Total work zone fatalities, 2016-2020: 13
> Vehicle occupant fatalities: 12
> Worker, pedestrian, and cyclist fatalities: 1
Source: Art Wager / E+ via Getty Images
25. Arizona
> Work zone fatality rate: 16.37 deaths per million licensed drivers
> Total work zone fatalities, 2016-2020: 93
> Vehicle occupant fatalities: 76
> Worker, pedestrian, and cyclist fatalities: 17
[in-text-ad]
Source: Willowpix / iStock via Getty Images
24. Kansas
> Work zone fatality rate: 16.96 deaths per million licensed drivers
> Total work zone fatalities, 2016-2020: 34
> Vehicle occupant fatalities: 31
> Worker, pedestrian, and cyclist fatalities: 3
Source: AlenaMozhjer / iStock via Getty Images
23. Wisconsin
> Work zone fatality rate: 17.15 deaths per million licensed drivers
> Total work zone fatalities, 2016-2020: 74
> Vehicle occupant fatalities: 66
> Worker, pedestrian, and cyclist fatalities: 8
Source: grandriver / iStock via Getty Images
22. Utah
> Work zone fatality rate: 17.21 deaths per million licensed drivers
> Total work zone fatalities, 2016-2020: 37
> Vehicle occupant fatalities: 31
> Worker, pedestrian, and cyclist fatalities: 6
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: tirc83 / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
21. Hawaii
> Work zone fatality rate: 17.36 deaths per million licensed drivers
> Total work zone fatalities, 2016-2020: 16
> Vehicle occupant fatalities: 9
> Worker, pedestrian, and cyclist fatalities: 7
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
20. Illinois
> Work zone fatality rate: 18.24 deaths per million licensed drivers
> Total work zone fatalities, 2016-2020: 150
> Vehicle occupant fatalities: 138
> Worker, pedestrian, and cyclist fatalities: 12
[in-text-ad]
Source: benkrut / iStock via Getty Images
19. Tennessee
> Work zone fatality rate: 18.45 deaths per million licensed drivers
> Total work zone fatalities, 2016-2020: 90
> Vehicle occupant fatalities: 77
> Worker, pedestrian, and cyclist fatalities: 13
Source: Shunyu Fan / iStock via Getty Images
18. Idaho
> Work zone fatality rate: 19.45 deaths per million licensed drivers
> Total work zone fatalities, 2016-2020: 25
> Vehicle occupant fatalities: 25
> Worker, pedestrian, and cyclist fatalities: 0
Source: Maksymowicz / iStock via Getty Images
17. Iowa
> Work zone fatality rate: 19.83 deaths per million licensed drivers
> Total work zone fatalities, 2016-2020: 45
> Vehicle occupant fatalities: 39
> Worker, pedestrian, and cyclist fatalities: 6
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: ChrisBoswell / iStock via Getty Images
16. Missouri
> Work zone fatality rate: 20.19 deaths per million licensed drivers
> Total work zone fatalities, 2016-2020: 86
> Vehicle occupant fatalities: 76
> Worker, pedestrian, and cyclist fatalities: 10
Source: Bruce Wilson Photography / iStock via Getty Images
15. Alaska
> Work zone fatality rate: 21.20 deaths per million licensed drivers
> Total work zone fatalities, 2016-2020: 11
> Vehicle occupant fatalities: 10
> Worker, pedestrian, and cyclist fatalities: 1
[in-text-ad]
Source: krblokhin / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
14. West Virginia
> Work zone fatality rate: 21.78 deaths per million licensed drivers
> Total work zone fatalities, 2016-2020: 24
> Vehicle occupant fatalities: 19
> Worker, pedestrian, and cyclist fatalities: 5
Source: bluebeat76 / iStock via Getty Images
13. Nevada
> Work zone fatality rate: 22.37 deaths per million licensed drivers
> Total work zone fatalities, 2016-2020: 46
> Vehicle occupant fatalities: 40
> Worker, pedestrian, and cyclist fatalities: 6
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
12. Alabama
> Work zone fatality rate: 23.75 deaths per million licensed drivers
> Total work zone fatalities, 2016-2020: 96
> Vehicle occupant fatalities: 74
> Worker, pedestrian, and cyclist fatalities: 22
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: JodiJacobson / iStock via Getty Images
11. Florida
> Work zone fatality rate: 24.12 deaths per million licensed drivers
> Total work zone fatalities, 2016-2020: 379
> Vehicle occupant fatalities: 302
> Worker, pedestrian, and cyclist fatalities: 77
Source: krblokhin / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
10. Montana
> Work zone fatality rate: 24.19 deaths per million licensed drivers
> Total work zone fatalities, 2016-2020: 20
> Vehicle occupant fatalities: 19
> Worker, pedestrian, and cyclist fatalities: 1
[in-text-ad]
Source: dszc / E+ via Getty Images
9. New Mexico
> Work zone fatality rate: 25.12 deaths per million licensed drivers
> Total work zone fatalities, 2016-2020: 37
> Vehicle occupant fatalities: 26
> Worker, pedestrian, and cyclist fatalities: 11
Source: Glam Granola Travel Photography / iStock via Getty Images
8. North Dakota
> Work zone fatality rate: 25.97 deaths per million licensed drivers
> Total work zone fatalities, 2016-2020: 14
> Vehicle occupant fatalities: 12
> Worker, pedestrian, and cyclist fatalities: 2
Source: alexeys / iStock via Getty Images
7. Indiana
> Work zone fatality rate: 27.80 deaths per million licensed drivers
> Total work zone fatalities, 2016-2020: 126
> Vehicle occupant fatalities: 107
> Worker, pedestrian, and cyclist fatalities: 19
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: wellesenterprises / iStock via Getty Images
6. Nebraska
> Work zone fatality rate: 30.58 deaths per million licensed drivers
> Total work zone fatalities, 2016-2020: 44
> Vehicle occupant fatalities: 42
> Worker, pedestrian, and cyclist fatalities: 2
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
5. Georgia
> Work zone fatality rate: 32.31 deaths per million licensed drivers
> Total work zone fatalities, 2016-2020: 243
> Vehicle occupant fatalities: 188
> Worker, pedestrian, and cyclist fatalities: 55
[in-text-ad]
Source: JTGrafix / iStock via Getty Images
4. Oklahoma
> Work zone fatality rate: 32.54 deaths per million licensed drivers
> Total work zone fatalities, 2016-2020: 83
> Vehicle occupant fatalities: 76
> Worker, pedestrian, and cyclist fatalities: 7
Source: HittProductions / iStock via Getty Images
3. Arkansas
> Work zone fatality rate: 37.14 deaths per million licensed drivers
> Total work zone fatalities, 2016-2020: 80
> Vehicle occupant fatalities: 68
> Worker, pedestrian, and cyclist fatalities: 12
2. Wyoming
> Work zone fatality rate: 44.47 deaths per million licensed drivers
> Total work zone fatalities, 2016-2020: 19
> Vehicle occupant fatalities: 0
> Worker, pedestrian, and cyclist fatalities: 0
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Art Wager / E+ via Getty Images
1. Texas
> Work zone fatality rate: 46.75 deaths per million licensed drivers
> Total work zone fatalities, 2016-2020: 826
> Vehicle occupant fatalities: 672
> Worker, pedestrian, and cyclist fatalities: 154
Sponsored: Find a Qualified Financial Advisor
Finding a qualified financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to 3 fiduciary financial advisors in your area in 5 minutes. Each advisor has been vetted by SmartAsset and is held to a fiduciary standard to act in your best interests. If you’re ready to be matched with local advisors that can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.
Editors' Picks
