Work Zone Safety for Motorists and Workers

• April 11, 2022
• Construction Work

The arrival of warmer weather means construction work zones will be popping up on our highways and roadways. Work zones help maintain, repair and upgrade them. However, they entail dangers and hazards for those driving through them such as changes in traffic patterns, narrowed rights-of-way, navigating around barrels, heavy equipment and trucks, flaggers and more. Work zone safety is paramount for those doing the building, repairing and maintenance because there are just as many hazards and dangers to be aware of that can lead to personal injuries.

Work Zone Safety for Motorists

In April each year, an annual spring campaign is held at the start of construction season to encourage safe driving through these work zones.

Speeding and distracted motorists are the most common causes of work zone accidents along with drivers following too close or entering restricted areas. Failing to pay attention may lead to missed detours or failing to observe construction barriers.

Manage your speed. That means slow down when approaching a work zone, follow the posted speed limits and don’t resume normal speed until you see signs indicating it is safe to do so.

Manage your space by keeping a safe distance between you and other vehicles, barriers and workers. Wait to merge and take turns, don’t pass on the shoulder and watch out for tailgaters.

Manage your stress. Pay attention (stay off the cell phone) and expect delays

The Missouri Department of Transportation gives motorists the following driving tips:

• Buckle up.
• Put your phone down
• Follow signs
• Expect the unexpected
• Pay attention
• Be patient
• Do not speed
• Do not drink and drive

Questions? Call us at (877) 284-6600, Chat Online or use our Text Us widget.

Work Zone Safety for Construction Workers

Keeping a work zone safe for motorists is just one responsibility of those managing the site; keeping those doing the work safe is another because motorists are not the only ones who cause work zone accidents.

Construction zone workers are just as likely to be struck by construction or maintenance related equipment (dump trucks, bulldozers, graders) as by cars, tractor-trailers, or other vehicles

Accidents can be reduced by following MUTCD’s five parameters for improving worker safety:

• Training workers how to work next to motor vehicle traffic to minimize their vulnerability
• Placing temporary traffic barriers along the work space
• Reducing the speed of traffic through speed zoning, funneling, lane reduction or the use of flaggers
• Planning the internal work activity area to minimize hazards such as backing-up of construction vehicles
• Worker safety planning, including a basic hazard assessment for the worksite and job classifications required in the activity area and determining what engineering, administrative or personal protection measures should be taken

Work Zone Accident Statistics

• 

  Construction Work Zones

  According to the Federal Highway Administration, from 1982 through 2020, 29,493 individuals lost their lives in work zone crashes.

• The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that from 2003 to 2020, 2,222 workers lost their lives at road construction sites, an average of 123 per year.

Work zone fatalities reached a 16-year high in 2020. Since 2013, work zones have grown increasingly dangerous. Between 2013 and 2020, work zone fatalities increased 45%. In 2020, over 102,000 work zone crashes were estimated to have occurred resulting in over 45,000 injuries and 857 fatalities.

More motorists and road workers are being killed or injured in preventable work zone crashes.

Source of statistics:

• NIOSH Highway Work Zone Safety
• Work Zone Barriers, Crash Facts

Have you been in a Work Zone Accident?

When you have been seriously injured in a work zone accident due to another’s negligence, you need an experienced attorney who will collect all the facts about the incident, assess your injuries and answer your questions.

Contact the capable counsel you need now. One of our experienced staff will speak with you personally and provide you with a free, no-obligation case evaluation. Call us at (877) 284-6600 or contact our office online.

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• Find related blog articles: Automobile Accidents, Construction Work, Personal Injury

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Editor’s Note: This post was originally published April 11, 2022. It was reviewed on April 4, 2023 and updated for content and accuracy.