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The Oklahoma Department of Transportation and Oklahoma Department of Public Safety recently highlighted the continued need for Oklahoma motorists to be aware of highway workers and state troopers when traveling around the state.

DPS Commissioner Michael Thompson said during a recent news conference that 35 troopers have been killed in the line of duty since the patrol's inception, with roughly 44% involving vehicle collisions.

Reportedly, about 60 highway employees have lost their lives due to roadside accidents on the job.     

Patterson says "It was just about a year ago that the new 'move over' law was enacted and became law Nov. 1st.It's not only the highway workers that we concern ourselves with. It's also the drivers. In 2015, there were over 1,130 accidents in work zones alone. Of those accidents, there were 521 injuries and 13 fatalities. These vehicles can be replaced, but the humans cannot."