As thousands of Australians drive through roadworks each day, few stop to think about the people behind the cones, barriers and bright orange vests. On November 9, Road Worker Day of Remembrance calls on the nation to do just that — to honour those who have lost their lives, been injured, or continue to risk their safety to keep our roads moving.
Every road worker is a protector — managing traffic, repairing damage, and building safer routes for everyone. But behind every hi-vis vest is a person: a parent, a partner, a friend, a neighbour.
Yet the risks they face remain alarming. Roads Australia data published in 2022 revealed that, over a ten-year period, 18 fatal worksite crashes and 245 serious injury crashes were recorded annually in Australia. Considering around 1,200 fatal road crashes occur nationally each year, that means 1.5% of all road fatalities happen in work zones — often preventable tragedies.
The review also identified the four most common types of incidents at roadwork sites:
- Procedural breaches
- Property damage
- Unauthorised site entry, and
- Speed breaches
Experts warn these figures only scratch the surface. Crashes and near misses in work zones are widely underreported, making it difficult to understand the true scale of the problem or to prevent future incidents. “Without reliable data and records,” the Roads Australia report noted, “it’s difficult to quantify the actual size of the problem and understand the crash causation process.”
For the workers who stand just metres from high-speed traffic, the danger is real — and ever-present. A brief lapse in driver attention, a speeding vehicle, or someone ignoring signage can be the difference between life and death.
That’s why this year’s message is simple: Slow down. Pay attention. Look beyond the hi-vis.
‘SEE the people working to protect all of us and remember it’s up to us all to make sure everyone gets home safe,’ say campaign organisers.
On November 9, Australia will pause to remember the lives lost, the families left grieving, and the workers who continue to protect us daily. It’s also a reminder that the responsibility to keep our roads safe belongs to all of us.
Honour. Remember. Protect. Because every road worker deserves to make it home.
Support Road Worker Day of Remembrance by sharing social media assets provided by campaign organisers, who also create awareness for Road National Safety Week from 17-24 May 2026. The hashtag is #RWDOR
