Preventing Roadside and Work Zone Deaths

Full Title:
Preventing Roadside and Work Zone Deaths Act of 2026

Summary#

This measure changes several sections of highway safety law and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to focus more on crashes near disabled vehicles and in road work zones. It adds "occupants of and pedestrians associated with disabled vehicles" to certain safety program language. It requires the Department of Transportation and other agencies to form two working groups: one on disabled vehicle crashes and one on work zone crashes. Each working group must collect and publish detailed crash data, make a strategic plan to reduce fatal and non-fatal injuries, encourage better data sharing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (including use of the Model Minimum Uniform Crash Criteria), and provide annual updates. The law also expands a review of public awareness campaigns about "move over" or slow-down rules to include motorists, disabled vehicles, workers, vehicles, and machinery in work zones. Finally, the Federal Highway Administration must send Congress an annual report on how States use and how effective work zone safety contingency funds, including which States used the funds, how much they dedicated, and recommendations to improve use.

What it means for you#

  • Drivers: The bill adds attention to people near disabled vehicles. Awareness reviews now include motorists and disabled vehicles near the roadside.
  • People who work on or near roads: Contractors, road crews, and first responders are named as participants in working groups and may see more data collection and new safety plans aimed at reducing crashes in work zones.
  • State transportation officials and agencies: States will be asked about use of work zone contingency funds and must supply information for an annual FHWA report.
  • Insurers, public health professionals, and vehicle makers: The working groups aim to improve crash data sharing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and encourage adoption of a common crash data standard.

Expenses#

No publicly available information.

Proponents' View#

The text of the measure calls for collecting better data, forming expert working groups, and making strategic plans to find and implement solutions that reduce fatal and non-fatal crashes near disabled vehicles and in work zones. It directs agencies to improve data sharing, update awareness programs, and report annually on use of contingency funds to help guide improvements.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information.