Preventing Roadside and Work Zone Deaths Act of 2026
S. 3871119th Congress

Preventing Roadside and Work Zone Deaths Act of 2026

Introduced in the SenateSen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT)15 sections · 2 min read
Version: is · Apr 20, 2026

Section 1. Short title

This Act may be cited as the Preventing Roadside and Work Zone Deaths Act of 2026.

(a) Highway Safety Improvement Program

Section 148(c)(2) of title 23, United States Code, is amended—

(1) in subparagraph (A)(vi), by striking and pedestrians, and inserting pedestrians, and occupants of and pedestrians associated with disabled vehicles;

(2) in subparagraph (B)(i), by inserting, and occupants of and pedestrians associated with disabled vehicles after pedestrians; and

(3) in subparagraph (D)(vi), by striking and pedestrians and inserting pedestrians, and occupants of and pedestrians associated with disabled vehicles.

(b) Injury health data

Section 24108(c)(2) of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (23 U.S.C. 405 note; Public Law 117–58) is amended by inserting, including roadside deaths and work zone deaths after fatalities.

(c) Review of Move Over or Slow Down Law public awareness

Section 24109(a) of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Public Law 117–58; 135 Stat. 809) is amended by inserting or motorist, disabled vehicle, worker, vehicle, or machinery in a work zone after authorized emergency vehicle.

(1) In general

The Secretary of Transportation, in conjunction with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and other relevant agencies, shall convene a working group of industry and other nongovernment entities, including representatives of high-risk communities, high traffic risk professions, such as truckers, traffic incident responders, and first responders, and other relevant stakeholders, including State and local highway safety experts, insurers, medical and public health experts, law enforcement and other first responders, and technology and automobile manufacturers.

(2) Duties

The working group convened under paragraph (1) shall collect, analyze, compile, and publish accurate, detailed data on disabled roadside vehicle crashes, along with a strategic plan to identify and implement solutions for fatal and non-fatal injury crashes, adoption of better data sharing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, including local adoption of the Model Minimum Uniform Crash Criteria, and annual updates on awareness and intervention activities and results.

(1) In general

The Secretary of Transportation, in conjunction with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Federal Highway Administration, and other relevant agencies, shall convene a working group of industry and other nongovernment entities, including contractors, pavers, engineers, construction labor unions, traffic safety industry professionals, State transportation officials, and others in the road building community.

(2) Duties

The working group convened under paragraph (1) shall collect, analyze, compile, and publish accurate, detailed data on work zone crashes, along with a strategic plan to identify and implement solutions for fatal and non-fatal injury crashes, increased use and effectiveness of work zone safety contingency funds, adoption of better data sharing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, including local adoption of the Model Minimum Uniform Crash Criteria, and annual updates on awareness and intervention activities and results.

(f) Review of use and effectiveness of work zone safety contingency funds

The Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration shall submit to Congress an annual report on the use and effectiveness of work zone safety contingency funds described in section 120(c)(3)(B)(vi) of title 23, United States Code, that includes the following:

(1) How many and which States have utilized the authority to use such funds.

(2) How much funding each State dedicated to such funds.

(3) Any other pertinent information about such funds and recommendations to improve the use of such funds nationwide.

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