SPONSORED – In Missouri, there were 356 work zone crashes last year, including five fatalities—reflecting a national trend of increased crashes and fatalities in work zones, particularly on interstates. Fatalities are three times more likely in work zones than in non-work zones. Andrea McNairy from Brown & Crouppen emphasizes that drivers can reduce risk by checking routes in advance, being aware of speed limit changes, and watching for congestion. Rear-end collisions are the most common in these areas. Missouri enforces strict penalties for harming highway workers, including fines up to $10,000, license suspension, and criminal charges under "Hit-A-Worker" laws. Caution in work zones is essential for safety and legal protection. Sponsored content disclaimer: The information and advice displayed in this story are those of individual sponsors or guests and not Nexstar Media Group, Inc.