Lewes – Secretary of Transportation Shanté Hastings joined employees, contractors, utility companies, and the Delaware State Police on Monday at the SR 1/Minos Conaway project to call attention to the importance of safe driving in our work zones across the state.

National Work Zone Awareness Week is held each April at the traditional start of construction season, when the number of workers on our nation’s roadways increases. The theme of this year’s work zone awareness campaign is, “Safe Actions Save Lives.” The campaign features DelDOT workers who put their lives on the line daily as they work within active traffic maintaining Delaware roads.

“Every day, thousands of people are working on and along roads across our state to improve and maintain our infrastructure. We all have a responsibility to drive safely. Sadly, we have had 22 fatalities over the past three years involving the traveling public in work zones and encourage everyone to join the “Be DelAWARE” campaign to help us increase safety for everyone on our roads,” said Secretary of Transportation Shanté Hastings.

Although highway workers are often among the victims of such crashes, it’s important for drivers to understand that four out of five victims of work zone crashes are drivers or their passengers. Generally, crashes occur when drivers speed through a work zone or do not pay attention to the changing road conditions and run into other vehicles, highway equipment or safety barriers, or drive off the roadway completely. In a typical five-day work week, an average of seven motorists and one worker are killed nationwide. The primary causes of work zone crashes are following too closely and inattentive driving.

The National Work Zone Awareness Week began in 1999, when the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA), and the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) signed a Memorandum of Agreement pledging to increase public awareness of work zone safety issues through a national media campaign. Since then, awareness has continued to grow, with state agencies and other organizations sponsoring high-visibility education and outreach initiatives.

Some simple tips for improving work zone safety include:
* When you see the “orange and black,” be extra cautious.
* Warning signs will let you know what to expect.
* Barrels or cones will delineate your path of travel.
* Flag persons will help direct you along the way.
* Avoid distractions.
* Don’t tailgate.
* Don’t change lanes.
* Reduce speed when approaching toll booths.
* Slow down and expect the unexpected.

For complete Delaware work zone statistics check out the Delaware Strategic Highway Safety Plan at: https://deldot.gov/Programs/DSHSP/index.shtml?dc=work_zone_safety

The United States Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration has also developed a Work Zone Safety webpage highlighting the statistics for the frequency and severity work zone crashes:
FHWA Work Zone Facts and Statistics – FHWA Office of Operations (dot.gov)

Dover – Continuing efforts to reduce crashes at intersections, the Delaware Department of Transportation announces that 15 new intersections throughout the state will be equipped with red-light cameras that are expected to be operational by this summer as part of the Electronic Red-Light Safety Program (ERLSP). Additionally, three intersections with existing red-light cameras will have new cameras installed on other intersection approaches. Currently, red-light cameras are operational at 45 intersections throughout the state. The 15 new locations include nine in New Castle County, five in Kent County, and one in Sussex County.

“The most important criteria in selecting an intersection for inclusion in the ERLSP is the frequency of crashes due to red-light running. Data from our existing locations have shown that after a camera is installed, angle crashes were reduced by an average of 41 percent,” said Secretary of Transportation Shanté Hastings. “This is a significant safety improvement as these kinds of crashes are more likely to result in serious injuries and fatalities.”

Once the cameras are operational, a 30-day warning period will be provided, which means motorists traveling through a red light at these locations will receive a warning instead of a citation, until the warning period expires. Signs will also be placed at each location to indicate that the intersection is monitored by cameras.

The 15 new locations expected to be operational by summer are:
New Castle County
• Route 202/Concord Pike at Prospect Avenue
• Route 202/Concord Ave at I-95 NB Off-Ramp
• Route 141/Powder Mill Road at Childrens Drive
• Route 141/Barley Mill Road at Route 100/Montchanin Road
• Route 41/Newport Gap Pike at Graves Road
• Route 40/Pulaski Highway at Pleasant Valley Road
• Route 40/Pulaski Highway at Brookmont Drive
• Route 4 WB/E. Justis Street at Marshall Street
• Route 13/Dupont Parkway at Duck Creek Road/Route 1 Ramps

Kent County
• Route 13/S. Dupont Boulevard at Simon’s Corner/Route 1 Ramps
• Route 13/S. Dupont Boulevard at S. Carter Road/Pharmacy Drive
• Route 13/S. Dupont Highway at Old North Road/N. East Camden Bypass
• Route 113/Dupont Boulevard at Airport Road/NW 10th Street
• Route 113/Dupont Boulevard at Route 14/Milford Harrington Highway/N. Front Street

Sussex County
• Route 1/Coastal Highway at Shuttle Road/Sea Blossom Boulevard.

Three existing locations with additional red-light cameras on intersection approaches now in effect are:
• Route 40/Pulaski Highway at Route 72/Sunset Lake Road/Wrangle Hill Road in New Castle County
• Route 13/S. Dupont Highway at Loockerman Street in Dover
• Governors Avenue at North Street in Dover

Existing red-light cameras that were temporarily deactivated for an intersection improvement project are now operational again at Route 2/Kirkwood Highway and Red Mill Road/Polly Drummond Hill Road in New Castle County.

Under the program, the fine for a violation is $137.50 and is assessed when a Notice of Civil Violation is sent to the registered owner of the vehicle involved in the traffic signal violation. Unlike traditional violations cited by a police officer, the camera violations are considered a civil offense, not a criminal one. As a result, the violation and fine will not impact a motorist’s insurance rate or accumulate points on their driving record.

The ERLSP began operation on February 1, 2004, with the activation of a camera located at the intersection of Route 13 and Webbs Lane in Dover. More information about the program can be found at de.gov/ERLSP

On Wednesday, January 14, 2026, a vehicle traveling on Route 113 south near Redden Road in Georgetown failed to slow down and move over, striking a DelDOT truck equipped with a trailer-mounted attenuator, marking the first incident of 2026 of a DelDOT employee or vehicle being struck. The employee in the truck was evaluated for minor injuries and needed no additional medical care, but the incident serves as a reminder for all drivers to be aware of DelDOT employees and contractors who are working on our roads every day.

“Last year, there were 36 incidents of DelDOT employees and equipment being struck in work zones, and nine resulted in injuries to employees. Since 2020, there have been a total of 275 incidents involving employees and equipment being struck and we are incredibly fortunate that none of these resulted in the loss of life,” said Secretary of Transportation Shanté Hastings. “The Maine Department of Transportation is mourning the loss of two employees who were tragically killed after being struck in a work zone on I-95 this week, and we need drivers to slow down and drive attentively to ensure that all employees return home safely each day.”

DelDOT announces that the Karen L. Johnson DMV facility south of Wilmington will remain closed the week of December 29, 2025. DMV’s three other locations in Delaware City, Dover, and Georgetown will resume operation on Monday, December 29, 2025, at 10:00AM.

New Castle County customers in need of DMV services can visit the next closest location, the Delaware City DMV located at 2101 Mid County Drive, New Castle, DE 19720. Some transactions can also be completed by utilizing MyDMV online services.

We appreciate the public’s patience and understanding during this time.

The National Weather Service is forecasting temperatures to be in the teens statewide tonight combined with 30-40 mph wind gusts which will result in very cold wind chills in the single digits.

With today’s snowfall, The Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) is advising of widespread icy conditions for road surfaces that do not dry during the daytime. While DelDOT snowplow crews continue to clear and salt roads today, rock salt becomes less effective below 20 degrees, and roads and bridges will become icy as temperatures continue to fall.

Drivers who need to be out tonight should give themselves extra time to reach their destination, reduce travel speed, and be alert for icy conditions.

The gusty winds combined with heavy snow on trees also makes the likelihood of downed trees and wires more likely and drivers should be prepared for potential hazards and blowing snow.

DelDOT has more than 300 traffic cameras across that are available to see real-time road conditions and can be viewed on the DelDOT app and the DelDOT website.

Downed trees, wires, and other road issues can be reported to the Transportation Management Center by calling #77.