ACCIDENTS IN WORK ZONES

Does it seem as if every stretch of road contains an orange barrel, construction workers, detour signs and a huge traffic mess? Fixing roads and infrastructure such as bridges and overpasses is definitely a good thing, but there might be too much of a good thing this summer. Escaping the traffic congestion caused by road construction has become a daily obsession for some commuters, with signs telling drivers that a 5 mile stretch of road is taking 20 minutes to travel. Getting to the airport on time takes on a whole new meaning.

Road construction is not merely inconvenient, however. It can be deadly. In 2020, 857 people were killed and 44,240 people were injured in work zone crashes. Work zone crashes are defined as taking place within the boundaries of a work zone or on an approach to or exit from a work zone due to activities, behaviors, or controls related to traffic moving through the boundaries of a work zone. Fatality data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) shows an average of 56 worker-pedestrians are killed per year after being struck by vehicles in work zones.

Breaking down the 857 fatalities:

• 479 were in construction zones
• 314 were in work zones of unknown type
• 56 were in maintenance zones
• 8 were in a utility zone

The majority of deaths in work zones are drivers of motor vehicles in transport. Vehicles involved in fatal crashes include both those engaged in construction activities as well as those traveling through a construction zone. Work zone deaths by type, from highest to lowest are:

• Drivers of motor vehicles – 530 deaths (62%)
• Pedestrians – 156 deaths (18%)
• Passengers of motor vehicles – 150 deaths (18%)
• Bicyclists – 14 deaths (2%)
• Other and unknown – 7 deaths (1%)

CAUSES OF WORK ZONE ACCIDENTS

Work zones play a key role in maintaining and upgrading our Nation's roadways. Unfortunately, daily changes in traffic patterns, narrowed rights-of-way, and other construction activities often create a combination of factors resulting in crashes, injuries, and fatalities. Drivers can become frustrated with traffic, leading to speeding and aggressive driving, which in turn leads to accidents. These accidents also cause excessive delays, especially given the constrained driving environment already present due to construction.

HOW TO AVOID ACCIDENTS IN WORK ZONES

In order to make it through construction zones with their safety—and sanity—in tact, drivers should adhere to the following safety tips:  

  * Drive the posted work zone speed limit!

• Stay alert and pay close attention to signs and flaggers.
• Turn on your headlights if signs instruct you to do so.
• Maintain a safe distance around vehicles. Don't tailgate.
• Use four-way flashers when stopped or traveling slowly.
• Avoid distractions and give your full attention to the road.
• Always buckle up.
• Expect the unexpected.
• Be patient.

PENALTIES FOR TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS IN WORK ZONES

O.C.G.A. §40-6-188 states a “highway work zone" means a segment of any highway, road, or street where the Department of Transportation, a county, a municipality, or any contractor for any of the foregoing is engaged in constructing, reconstructing, or maintaining the physical structure of the roadway or its shoulders or features adjacent to the roadway. The penalties for speeding through a work zone in Georgia are severe. While most traffic violations are considered misdemeanors, speeding through a work zone is a misdemeanor of a high and aggravated nature. This means the fine is increased to up to $2,000 as well as up to one year in jail, or both. You will also receive points on your license based on the speed you were going.

WHEN ACCIDENTS HAPPEN IN WORK ZONES

When accidents occur in work zones, liability for damages can rest with the driver whose vehicle caused the accident/injury, and might be shared with the entity performing the work, if proper signage, lane requirements, and worker safety rules were not adhered to. To determine liability and compensation for personal injury and property damages, contact Dave Thomas at The Thomas Law Firm for a free evaluation of your claim.