The National Atlas of the United States reveals there are approximately four million miles of road, including highways, streets and bridges, in the U.S. highway network. Everyday Americans travel these roads, increasing their need for repair. With so many miles of pavement, and so much daily traffic, construction is an integral part of maintaining the flow of transportation by preserving or expanding existing roads.

Road Work Ahead

The presence of active work zones on busy roadways is a common occurrence, but for many drivers it is a frustrating inconvenience. Not only do drivers have to slow down or merge into one lane of traffic, but if they are caught speeding or intruding within work zones, the penalties are often harsh. These penalties may include doubled fines for speeding, suspended driver’s licenses and even increased jail sentences, especially if a worker is injured or killed. Contrary to popular opinion, drivers are not the only causes of work zone crashes.

Dead End

When work zones are unsafe, anyone in or around the construction area is at risk for injury or death. The most recent numbers published by the Federal Highway Administration’s Office of Safety report that there were 40,000 injuries and 720 fatalities in work zone accidents across the nation during 2008. Drivers and their passengers make up 85 percent of construction deaths over the last ten years. The remaining 15 percent are non-motorists, such as workers, pedestrians and bicyclists.

According to the New York Department of Transportation, there were six work zone fatalities in New York during 2008, which was an increase from five fatalities in 2007. Also in 2007, there were 102 road construction crash injuries reported in New York. In general, work zone crashes in the U.S. have decreased over the last few years, but states are preparing for an increase as federal stimulus money for transportation projects is distributed and used throughout the Obama administration.

Slow Down

When it comes to work zone-related accidents, drivers are typically blamed for any injuries or deaths due to traffic violations like speeding or distracted driving. However, the driver may just be one contributor to a battery of possible causes. If the general contractor is sloppy about safety practices, both the public and construction workers may suffer.

The misplacement of construction safety equipment, such as concrete barriers, drums and traffic cones may be a factor. Other elements that may cause accidents are large equipment parked too close to passing traffic, lanes drawn too narrowly, signs placed poorly preceding lane reductions and pavement-edges that drop-off sharply. These are just some of the work zone hazards that may cause traffic crashes, injuries or deaths to both motorists and workers.

Give ‘em a Brake

Employment as a highway construction worker is one of the most dangerous jobs in the United States. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that from 2004 to 2008 there were 630 occupational fatalities nationally for highway construction workers. Of these fatalities, 19 happened within New York work zones.

In 2005, 3 of the 19 New York fatalities occurred during one tragic accident caused by a charter bus whose driver failed to slow down upon entering a work zone. The bus hit multiple vehicles and eventually struck the victims, who were paving a road, killing them. Laboring sometimes only feet away from traffic moving between 50 to 60 miles an hour, most contractors in work zones cheat death and serious injury on a daily basis.

Uneven Lanes

The federal government mandates that states inspect the safety practices in active work zones. Even when these safety reviews happen, construction companies may ignore the inspector’s recommendations to improve work zone safety conditions. Additionally, there are no uniform safety standards for road construction areas between the states, and the way states conduct business with highway and street construction companies could contribute to the lack of enforcement of safety standards and regulations at work zone sites.

For example, contractors are rarely cited for safety infractions and states may be lax in order to keep costs down. Poor training for safety management personnel may be another factor that could increase the potential for accidents in and around construction zones. Also, the government focus on creating more penalties and fines for drivers who speed through work zones or injure or kill a construction worker to prevent future work zone accidents is tragically flawed, as this only addresses some of the possible causes.

Travel at Your Own Risk

On a regular basis, many of us must drive to destinations like work, school, daycare and the grocery store, but this travel comes with the risk of a work zone crash. Repeatedly highway construction workers have to go to work under sometimes extremely hazardous conditions. However, there are ways to minimize the likelihood of road construction zone accidents. For drivers, slowing down and paying more attention in work zones may create safer passage. For general contractors, working during off-peak hours, following recommended safety measures and having construction workers attend proper safety training courses to better manage work zones could help to reduce accidents.

Crashes may still happen in work zones even if construction companies are diligent with appropriate safety practices and drivers are slow and attentive. If you or someone you know is involved in a construction or work zone traffic incident as a driver or contractor, contact an experienced personal injury attorney in your area. If you have been injured, you may be able to receive compensation for past and future medical costs, wage loss and pain and suffering.