Every spring, the Missouri Department of Transportation starts preparing for the summer season of roadwork across the state. Part of that preparation includes the observance of National Work Zone Awareness Week, which is April 7-11.

Highway workers spend their days working a short distance from fast-moving vehicles. They make every effort to work safely, but they count on motorists to pay attention, slow down, and use caution when driving through work zones.

In 2012, Governor Jay Nixon and the Missouri General Assembly added MoDOT vehicles to the “Move Over” law, which protects law enforcement and emergency response vehicles parked on the side of the road. This law requires motorists to slow down or change lanes when approaching these vehicles and now includes MoDOT vehicles parked with amber and white lights flashing.

“The law is simple: If you see flashing lights on the side of the road, move over to give workers and emergency personnel plenty of room to stay safe,” said MoDOT Chief Engineer Ed Hassinger. “If you can’t move over on a crowded highway, you should slow down as you pass them.  We want you and our workers to make it home safe every day.”

MoDOT installed the first flashing yellow arrow turn signal in Northwest Missouri at the intersection of Hornet Drive and Route 190 in Chillicothe. Learn more about how to safely navigate through a flashing yellow arrow turn signal by clicking on the picture to the right.

Looking for a guest speaker for your school, organization, club, business meeting or event? MoDOT offers speakers on a variety of transportation and highway safety topics. Call us at 816-387-2495 or email us and request your speaker today!