LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) — The number of orange barrels on Ohio roadways will soon increase, and state officials are reminding motorists to use caution when driving through work zones.
According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, there were nearly 4,500 work zone crashes in 2025, with 34% occurring while workers were present. So far this year, there have been 438 crashes, even before the busiest part of the construction season begins.
Officials with the Ohio Department of Transportation are urging drivers to slow down, move over, and remain alert for workers and equipment when traveling through work zones.
“This time of the year, you're going to start seeing a lot more activity out on the roads. You're going to see those orange barrels. You're going to see those crews out there. And whether it's ODOT, whether it's a contractor, whether it's the county or townships, law enforcement, tow truck drivers, those people, they want to go home at the end of the day to their families, just like the rest of us do. So, we really ask a motorist to move over, slow down, be respectful as they come through those work zones, and make sure that they're paying attention, and just be curious to those people that have to work in those zones,” says Chris Hughes, deputy director of ODOT Dist. 1.
In 2025, troopers issued more than 30,000 citations for traffic violations in work zones statewide. Of those, 74% were for speeding, with fines ranging from $150 to more than $300 depending on the speed.
