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TAYLOR, MISSOURI -- Since the year 2000, roadside car accidents have claimed the lives of 15 MoDOT workers. In an attempt to prevent future fatalities, the Missouri State Highway Patrol is stepping up and pulling over more drivers who aren't paying attention in work zones.

"In Missouri, we have a lot of road construction and improvements taking place," says Sgt. Brent Bernhardt, of the Missouri Highway Patrol. 

That means reducing your speed to 45 m.p.h. while driving through a construction zone. Today's stop: the North Fabius River Bridge on US 24. As both MoDot workers and private contractors worked alongside the highway, the highway patrol watched the radar as cars flew through the 45 m.p.h. sections in both the north and southbound lanes.

Within the first thirty minutes KHQA arrived on scene, officers had pulled over six vehicles.

"Throughout the summer, anytime there's construction taking place, we're going to have officers working those areas diligently," says Bernhardt.

On top of the extra work zones throughout the state,  Bernhardt says summer brings even more travelers on the road, leading to more accidents and fatalities. Last year in the state of Missouri, 13 people were killed, including both MoDOT workers and motorists. For the tickets issued today, it's a reminder of what could have happened.

"There is a crime in Missouri titled Endangerment of a Highway Worker, and when one is injured in a car crash in a work zone, a person can be charged with that. Also, if people are driving through that area intoxicated or speeding excessively, they can be charged as well," says Bernhardt.

He says if you get a ticket in a work zone, expect to pay a hefty fine. In construction or work zones, the fine is an additional $35. That's on top of a regular speeding ticket, and if workers are present, make that an additional $250 fine.