Mississippi Urges Drivers to Watch for Road Workers After Multiple Incidents

State transportation officials are urging drivers to be more careful in work zones after six road workers were hit on job sites last week.

WLBT-TV reports three workers were treated for injuries after a produce truck rear-ended a Mississippi Department of Transportation pickup last Monday on U.S. 49 in Florence.

Two contract workers were injured near Hattiesburg and hospitalized Tuesday. A sixth worker was injured in metropolitan Jackson.

Department of Transportation Executive Director Melinda McGrath urges drivers to slow down and move over when work crews are present. The department also urges people to avoid distractions such as cell phones and eating while driving.

The department lists 45 highway workers killed on duty since 1951.