Driving safety guide · Ford of Peoria · Peoria, IL
Work Zone Safety Tips for Illinois Drivers
Work zones change lanes, speeds and traffic patterns, and conditions can change quickly. Here is what the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) tells drivers about where a work zone starts, how to merge, sharing the zone with heavy vehicles and Scott's Law, plus what state and federal crash figures show.
The short answer
Slow down and obey the posted speed limits, put the phone down, and pay attention because conditions can change quickly. Merge early when traffic is light, or use both lanes and take turns merging when it is heavy. Give heavy vehicles room, and move over for workers if you can.
Where a work zone begins and ends
IDOT defines a work zone as an area of a highway with construction, maintenance or utility work activities, typically marked by signs, channelizing devices, barriers, pavement markings or work vehicles.
It begins at the first warning sign or the high-intensity rotating, flashing, oscillating or strobe lights on a vehicle. In Illinois, the first warning sign is an orange diamond reading ROAD CONSTRUCTION AHEAD or ROAD WORK AHEAD. The zone ends with an END ROAD WORK sign or the last traffic control device for that work. Moving work such as lane line painting or roadside mowing can also be a work zone when it is marked by warning signs or signals.
From IDOT, "Illinois Crash Reporting: What Is a Work Zone?", read November 3, 2026.
IDOT work zone safety tips
IDOT's safety tips for driving through work zones:
Drop it and drive
Put the phone down. IDOT says distracted driving and speed continue to be the leading causes of work zone crashes. See our Illinois cell phone driving law guide.
Slow down
Slow down and obey speed limits. See our Illinois speed limits guide.
Move over
If possible, move over for workers.
Pay attention
Conditions can change quickly.
Expect backups
Traffic backups can occur at any time.
Give room
Do not follow closely or cut in front of heavy vehicles, and give them room to adjust to conditions.
From IDOT's Work Zones page and 2026 Work Zone Awareness fact sheet, read November 3, 2026.
Merging safely at a lane closure
IDOT's guidance when lanes are reduced due to road work:
| Traffic | How to merge |
|---|---|
| Not heavily congested | Merge early into the open lane. |
| Heavy congestion or slow traffic | Use either lane up to the reduction, then take turns merging. |
From IDOT's 2026 Work Zone Awareness fact sheet, read November 3, 2026.
Sharing a work zone with heavy vehicles
IDOT's 2026 fact sheet says that in 2024, more than 61 percent of fatal work zone crashes involved a heavy vehicle. Look for heavy vehicles entering and leaving work zones; they need more time to slow down and speed up.
Do not follow closely or cut in front of heavy vehicles. As IDOT puts it, rear-ending one is as deadly as being rear-ended by one.
From IDOT's 2026 Work Zone Awareness fact sheet, read November 3, 2026.
Scott's Law and work zones
IDOT says Scott's Law, 625 ILCS 5/11-907(c), requires a motorist to slow down and change lanes if possible for emergency, construction and maintenance vehicles and workers. IDOT says a person charged must appear in court and have driving privileges suspended, and additional penalties can apply in cases of property damage, injury or death.
For the full rules, see our Illinois move over law (Scott's Law) guide.
From IDOT's Work Zones page, read November 3, 2026.
Why it matters
State figures from IDOT's 2026 fact sheet and national figures from the Federal Highway Administration:
| Measure | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Average work zone crashes a year in Illinois, 2020-2024 | 6,195 | IDOT |
| Average people injured a year in those crashes | 1,073 | IDOT |
| Illinois work zone fatalities, 2020-2024 | 137 (9 were workers; the rest were road users) | IDOT |
| U.S. work zone traffic fatalities, 2022 | 891 | FHWA |
| U.S. fatal work zone crashes where speeding was a factor, 2022 | 281 (34%) | FHWA |
From IDOT's 2026 Work Zone Awareness fact sheet and FHWA Work Zone Facts and Statistics, read November 3, 2026. FHWA notes its figures are subject to revision.
Keep your vehicle ready for the road
The Works® at Ford of Peoria includes a synthetic blend oil change, tire rotation and pressure check, brake inspection, Multi-Point Inspection, fluid top-off, battery test, and a filter, belts and hoses check.
Schedule service online and see our service specials first. Ford of Peoria is at 2211 W. Pioneer Pkwy. in Peoria. Get directions.
Ford of Peoria service hours
| Days | Hours |
|---|---|
| Mon-Fri | 7 a.m.-5:30 p.m. |
| Sat | 8 a.m.-noon |
| Sun | closed |
From Ford of Peoria's website, November 3, 2026. Holiday hours can differ.
Work zone safety FAQ
Where does a work zone begin and end in Illinois?
IDOT says a work zone begins at the first warning sign or high-intensity rotating, flashing, oscillating or strobe lights on a vehicle. In Illinois the first warning sign is an orange diamond reading ROAD CONSTRUCTION AHEAD or ROAD WORK AHEAD. It ends with an END ROAD WORK sign or the last traffic control device for that work.
Do workers have to be present for it to count as a work zone crash?
No. IDOT's work zone definition says workers do not have to be present at the time of the crash for it to be considered a work zone crash.
Should I merge early or take turns at a lane closure?
IDOT says that if lanes are reduced and the road is not heavily congested, merge early into the open lane. If there is heavy congestion or slow traffic, use either lane up to the reduction, then take turns merging.
What does Scott's Law require in a work zone?
IDOT says Scott's Law, 625 ILCS 5/11-907(c), requires a motorist to slow down and change lanes if possible for emergency, construction and maintenance vehicles and workers. See our Illinois move over law guide.
How many work zone crashes happen in Illinois?
IDOT's 2026 fact sheet says that from 2020 to 2024, Illinois averaged 6,195 work zone crashes a year, with 1,073 people injured a year as a result.
Why are heavy vehicles a concern in work zones?
IDOT's 2026 fact sheet says that in 2024, more than 61 percent of fatal work zone crashes involved a heavy vehicle. Heavy vehicles need more time to slow down and speed up, so do not follow closely or cut in front of them.
What does The Works at Ford of Peoria include?
The Works® at Ford of Peoria includes a synthetic blend oil change, tire rotation and pressure check, brake inspection, Multi-Point Inspection, fluid top-off, battery test, and a filter, belts and hoses check.
Book a routine checkup
Book The Works, which includes a brake inspection, tire rotation and pressure check and Multi-Point Inspection, at Ford of Peoria.
Sources
Work zone guidance and Illinois figures are from the Illinois Department of Transportation, and national figures are from the Federal Highway Administration, all read November 3, 2026. Laws change; this page is a plain-language summary, not legal advice. Service details, address and hours are from Ford of Peoria's own website, checked the same day. Photo is illustrative.
- Work Zones (safety tips, Scott's Law), Illinois Department of Transportation, read November 3, 2026
- 2026 National Work Zone Awareness Week fact sheet (Illinois figures, merging, heavy vehicles), Illinois Department of Transportation, PDF modified April 19, 2026, read November 3, 2026
- Illinois Crash Reporting: What Is a Work Zone?, Illinois Department of Transportation, read November 3, 2026
- FHWA Work Zone Facts and Statistics, U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, read November 3, 2026
- General service: The Works, Ford of Peoria, November 3, 2026
- Address and service hours (structured data), Ford of Peoria, November 3, 2026