(KLZA)-- The Missouri Department of Transportation is asking drivers to turn off their phones for workers in work zones. Motorists will see more construction and maintenance work zones on the more than 5,600 miles of state roads and bridges across northwest Missouri in the coming weeks.

To help spread that message that “Work Zones are No Phone Zones,” we’re asking everyone to wear #OrangeForSafety on Monday, April 3, in support of all roadway workers.

Motorists are reminded to slow down, put their phone down and pay attention as they drive past work zones. 

Driver inattention was the number one cause of work zone crashes last year. The average text takes five seconds to read. Traveling at 55 mph, you will travel more than the length of a football field—blindfolded. 

Since 2012, the state Slow Down and Move Over law includes MoDOT vehicles parked with amber/white lights flashing. Motorists are required to slow down and change lanes when approaching MoDOT vehicles or law enforcement and emergency vehicles with lights flashing.

The law is simple: If you see flashing lights on the side of the road, move over to give workers and emergency personnel plenty of room to stay safe. If you can’t move over on a crowded highway, you should slow down as you pass them. 

In 2016 seven people were killed in work zone crashes on state system routes and an additional one on the local system, for a total of eight fatalities.

To help make your travel safer and to find out what work zones you’ll encounter, visit MoDOT’s Traveler Information map at www.traveler.modot.org/map before you go.