Summary of the Preventing Roadside and Work Zone Deaths Act of 2026

Purpose and Intent

The Preventing Roadside and Work Zone Deaths Act of 2026 is a bill introduced in the U.S. Senate that aims to improve safety for motorists, disabled vehicles, workers, and pedestrians in roadside and work zone environments. The bill seeks to reduce fatal and non-fatal injuries in these high-risk situations.

Key Provisions

The bill would make the following key changes:

1. Highway Safety Improvement Program Amendments:

   • Expand the focus of the program to include occupants of and pedestrians associated with disabled vehicles.
   • Require consideration of occupants of and pedestrians associated with disabled vehicles in safety projects and data collection.

2. Injury Health Data Reporting:

   • Require the collection and reporting of roadside deaths and work zone deaths in injury health data.

3. Move Over or Slow Down Law Awareness:

   • Expand public awareness requirements for "Move Over or Slow Down" laws to include motorists, disabled vehicles, workers, vehicles, and machinery in work zones.

4. Disabled Vehicle Crash Working Group:

   • Convene a working group to collect, analyze, and publish data on disabled roadside vehicle crashes, and develop a strategic plan to address these incidents.

5. Work Zone Crash Working Group:

   • Convene a working group to collect, analyze, and publish data on work zone crashes, and develop a strategic plan to address these incidents.

6. Review of Work Zone Safety Contingency Funds:

   • Require the Federal Highway Administration to submit an annual report on the use and effectiveness of work zone safety contingency funds.

Affected Stakeholders

The bill would primarily impact:

• Motorists and occupants of disabled vehicles
• Pedestrians and workers in roadside and work zone environments
• State and local transportation agencies
• Law enforcement, first responders, and incident responders
• Transportation industry stakeholders, including contractors, unions, and safety professionals

Timeline and Procedure

The bill was introduced in the U.S. Senate on February 12, 2026 and has been referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. No further legislative action has been taken at this time.