Team Kentucky reminds drivers to watch for crews in work zones to save lives

FRANKFORT, Ky. – Team Kentucky is reminding drivers to drive cautiously through work zones, potentially saving lives of highways crews.

According to a release by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet on Monday, officials are encouraging drivers to obey posted speed limits, watch for crews and follow traffic control devices.

Transportation officials say work zone crashes are on the rise compared to this time last year.

“Kentuckians ought to look out for each other everywhere, including on our roads,” said Gov. Andy Beshear. “Our transportation teams are using proven tools to make work zones safer for those building or driving on our roads, but it still requires every driver makes smart choices every time they’re behind the wheel.”

Team Kentucky says to prevent crashes and serious injuries during active construction, more speed enforcement cameras and automated flagger devices will be present in work zones.

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet says it deployed an additional 50 Automated Flagger Assistance Devices this past summer to director traffic. According to officials, drivers should give the devices the same respect as they give human flaggers.

Seven more speed enforcement cameras will be placed in work zones across Kentucky this year to encourage safe driving speeds around workers, officials say.

“We take work zone safety seriously and are committed to using every method available to reduce collisions, save lives and improve safety for Kentucky families who rely on our roads,” said Transportation Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Goodman. “Every speed camera, every flagger and flagging device, and every sign in a work zone exists for one reason – to get workers and drivers home safely at the end of every day.”

According to officials, ignoring or disobeying AFADs in work zones may result in legal consequences, as set out in Chapter 189 of the Kentucky Revised Statutes, and could include fines, driver’s license revocation and, in some cases, criminal charges.

So far in 2026, officials say “64 work zone incidents occurred” due to drivers disregarding flaggers and AFADs, and “50% of those violations resulted in criminal charges against the driver while another 38% are pending.”

In addition, officials say speed enforcement cameras are meant to encourage safety. Transportation officials say the cameras “do not send automated tickets through the mail” but rather are monitored by law enforcement officers stationed near a work zone, who can pull over drivers that are speeding.

Signs and flashing lights provide warning to passing drivers when they’re in operation, officials say.

“Every year, we lose too many people on our roadways because of crashes that could have been prevented,” said Kentucky State Police Maj. Eric Walker. “We’re going to be out there watching, and we’re going to enforce this law. At the end of the day, we’re doing this because we want to save lives here in Kentucky.”

To help keep everyone safe in Kentucky’s highway work zones, KYTC encourages all drivers to follow these tips:

• Put the phone down – no life is worth a text or call
• Slow down – obey posted work zone speed limits
• Be alert – be prepared for sudden lane shifts and stopped traffic
• Watch for workers – crews and equipment may be entering or exiting the roadway at any time
• Obey flaggers/AFAD signals – obey all commands; stop and go only when signaled
• Buckle up – every trip, every time
• Be patient – a few extra minutes is worth a lifetime for the workers

To stay up to date on active work zones and other traffic information, visit goky.ky.gov.