Construction season is underway across the state, and leaders from the Illinois Department of Transportation are encouraging driver safety. Each year, IDOT reports nearly 6,200 accidents in work zones across the state, resulting in more than 1,000 injuries.
Motorist can expect to see more highways covered in orange barrels over the summer months. Paul Wappel, Spokesman for IDOT, says drivers need to slow down and pay attention. “We’ve already have had a couple of fatalities this year. Please slow down, wear your seat belt, put the phone down and go the posted speed limit.” He says the fatalities in work zones are more often motorist and their passengers, not the workers.
In 2025, 35 drivers died in work zone accidents.