Work Zone Safety Enhancement Act

## Summary The Work Zone Safety Enhancement Act aims to improve safety in highway construction zones by expanding how states can use federal highway safety funds. Currently, these funds are primarily allocated for general traffic safety programs. The bill adds a new subsection to federal law, explicitly permitting states to dedicate a portion of these funds to work zone safety initiatives. These initiatives include law enforcement support, driver education, technology deployment, personnel training, and data collection. The law also requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to study the effectiveness of these programs within two years of enactment. By prioritizing Tribal governments and rural areas, the bill seeks to address disparities in resources and safety outcomes in less-funded regions. ## Key Points - Expands fund usage: Allows states to use federal highway safety funds for work zone-specific safety measures (e.g., law enforcement patrols, driver education, and safety technology). - Law enforcement support: Funds can cover grants, overtime pay, equipment, and operations for police to enforce safety rules in and near work zones. - Driver training and education: States may develop work zone safety modules for driver licenses, commercial vehicle training, and public awareness campaigns. - Technology investments: Covers costs for deploying tools like portable warning signs, speed monitors, and connected-vehicle alerts to prevent crashes. - Training and data collection: Includes funding for certifying flaggers and construction workers in safety protocols, as well as gathering crash/near-miss data to evaluate what works best. - Priority for underserved areas: Requires states to prioritize Tribal governments and rural regions when implementing these programs. - GAO oversight: Mandates a federal study to assess the effectiveness of work zone safety initiatives funded under the new rules. ## Impact Areas - Primary group/area affected: Highway workers and drivers in construction zones, where crashes and fatalities are a major concern. - Secondary group/area affected: State transportation agencies and law enforcement, who will manage and execute the new safety programs. - Additional impacts: - Encourages adoption of innovative safety technologies through pilot projects. - Strengthens data-driven approaches to reduce work zone risks. - Addresses equity by directing resources to rural and Tribal communities with historically limited funding.