February 12, 2026
Mr. Blumenthal (for himself and Mrs. Fischer) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
To amend title 23, United States Code, and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act with respect to vehicle roadside crashes and work zone safety, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Preventing Roadside and Work Zone Deaths Act of 2026
.
Sec. 2. Vehicle and work zone roadside accidents
(a) Highway Safety Improvement Program
Section 148(c)(2) of title 23, United States Code, is amended—
(1)
in subparagraph (A)(vi), by striking and pedestrians,
and inserting pedestrians, and occupants of and pedestrians associated with disabled vehicles
;
(2)
in subparagraph (B)(i), by inserting , and occupants of and pedestrians associated with disabled vehicles
after pedestrians
; and
(3)
in subparagraph (D)(vi), by striking and pedestrians
and inserting pedestrians, and occupants of and pedestrians associated with disabled vehicles
.
(b) Injury health data
Section 24108(c)(2) of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (23 U.S.C. 405 note; Public Law 117–58) is amended by inserting , including roadside deaths and work zone deaths
after fatalities
.
(c) Review of Move Over or Slow Down Law public awareness
Section 24109(a) of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Public Law 117–58; 135 Stat. 809) is amended by inserting or motorist, disabled vehicle, worker, vehicle, or machinery in a work zone
after authorized emergency vehicle
.
(d) Disabled vehicle crash working group
(1) In general
The Secretary of Transportation, in conjunction with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and other relevant agencies, shall convene a working group of industry and other nongovernment entities, including representatives of high-risk communities, high traffic risk professions, such as truckers, traffic incident responders, and first responders, and other relevant stakeholders, including State and local highway safety experts, insurers, medical and public health experts, law enforcement and other first responders, and technology and automobile manufacturers.
(2) Duties
The working group convened under paragraph (1) shall collect, analyze, compile, and publish accurate, detailed data on disabled roadside vehicle crashes, along with a strategic plan to identify and implement solutions for fatal and non-fatal injury crashes, adoption of better data sharing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, including local adoption of the Model Minimum Uniform Crash Criteria, and annual updates on awareness and intervention activities and results.
(e) Work zone crash working group
(1) In general
The Secretary of Transportation, in conjunction with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Federal Highway Administration, and other relevant agencies, shall convene a working group of industry and other nongovernment entities, including contractors, pavers, engineers, construction labor unions, traffic safety industry professionals, State transportation officials, and others in the road building community.
(2) Duties
The working group convened under paragraph (1) shall collect, analyze, compile, and publish accurate, detailed data on work zone crashes, along with a strategic plan to identify and implement solutions for fatal and non-fatal injury crashes, increased use and effectiveness of work zone safety contingency funds, adoption of better data sharing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, including local adoption of the Model Minimum Uniform Crash Criteria, and annual updates on awareness and intervention activities and results.
(f) Review of use and effectiveness of work zone safety contingency funds
The Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration shall submit to Congress an annual report on the use and effectiveness of work zone safety contingency funds described in section 120(c)(3)(B)(vi) of title 23, United States Code, that includes the following:
(1)
How many and which States have utilized the authority to use such funds.
(2)
How much funding each State dedicated to such funds.
(3)
Any other pertinent information about such funds and recommendations to improve the use of such funds nationwide.