The review of limited statistics on the hazards to workman and motorist in highway work zones indicates that a major safety problem exists in the nation. The work by one state illustrates that work zone activities need not create undue hazards where highway officials establish procedures that are based on a due regard for the driver's ability to respond to changed conditions and provide a forgiving roadside environment to the greatest degree possible should vehicle loss of control occur. A case study of another state's construction zone activities illustrates a failure in ethical concern for their employee's and the public's health, safety, and welfare. A proposal for improving ethical practices through legislation is suggested by the author.