Baltimore County Department of Public Works & Transportation Reminds Motorists to Proceed with Caution in Work Zones

April 23, 2025

TOWSON, MD—The Department of Public Works and Transportation (DPWT) is urging motorists to remain alert and slow down as they enter work zones.

The reminder comes as April 21-25 represents National Work Zone Awareness Week. This year’s theme is “Respect the zone so we all get home.” Since 2000, this week has served as a way to ensure motorists follow Maryland laws to avoid speeding, distractions, impaired driving and remember to move over when possible.

In Baltimore County, DPWT workers are out every day working on projects ranging from installing water mains to repaving roads to repairing bridges and removing downed tree branches. Oftentimes this vital work is conducted under challenging conditions, which may include being mere feet away from fast-moving traffic.

“Work Zone safety is everybody’s responsibility,” Baltimore County Department of Public Works and Transportation Director Lauren Buckler said. “Drive safe. A reminder that Work Zones need everyone’s undivided attention. Our most important priority is the ensuring the safety of our crews and that every worker makes it home at the end of the day.” 

Reminding motorists that being responsible near a work zone is not just a courtesy, it is a life-saving necessity for our workers. According to the Maryland Highway Safety Office, between 2019 and 2023, there were 7,110 work zone-related crashes, which injured 2,587 people in the state. During that span, 45 people lost their lives to work zones-related crashes in Maryland.

Since Jan. 1, 2025, Maryland has had a tiered fine system with work zone speeding violations ranging from $60 to $500. Those fines double if workers are present.

Motorists entering a work zone are encouraged to remember the following:

  • Use detours to avoid work zones when possible

  • Reduce speed

  • Pay close attention to signs and signals

  • Be prepared to stop or slow down unexpectedly

  • Adhere to Maryland’s Move Over laws

  • Avoid aggressive, distracted and impaired driving

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