Posted on Wednesday, October 18th, 2017 at 2:23 am
It is a necessary evil — road construction zones. In some areas, it seems as if roads are always under construction. Whether it is widening the road, adding turning lanes, painting lines, repaving, or filling in potholes, road construction is something that all drivers must deal with from time to time along with the traffic jams caused by construction zones. Unfortunately, drivers must also deal with the accidents to occur in construction and work zones.
Work Zone Accident Statistics
According to information from the U.S. Department of Transportation, a work zone accident occurs about every 5.4 minutes. During 2015, approximately 70 work zone crashes injured at least one person each day. That same year, 12 work zone crashes each week resulted in a fatality. Other statistics from the USDOT include:
- 96,626 work zone crashes occurred in 2015, a 7.8 percent increase from 2014 and a 42 percent increase since 2013
- 73 percent of the 2015 work zone crashes were property only crashes
- 4 percent of the 2015 work zone crashes resulted in an injury
- 7 percent (642) of the 2015 work zone crashes resulted in a fatality
Even one injury or fatality in a work zone is one too many for the family impacted by the accident.
How to Avoid Work Zone Accidents
Even though there is nothing you can do about construction zones, there are steps you can take as a driver to reduce the risk of being involved in a construction zone accident:
- Slow Down — Speeding limits in work zones are lower to protect workers and to protect you. Driving slower through a work zone gives you additional time to react to situations including sudden lane changes, uneven pavement, equipment or debris in the road, etc. In addition to avoiding an accident, slowing down in a work zone helps you avoid an expensive traffic ticket.
- Avoid Distractions — Distracted driving is dangerous under any condition, but especially when you are in a construction zone. Leave texting, putting on makeup, eating, reading, talking on the phone, or adjusting vehicle settings for a time when you are parked. If passengers are loud, ask them to quiet down while you navigate the construction zone.
- Pay Attention to Your Surroundings — Avoiding distractions and reducing speed are only two parts of the equation. You must pay attention to your surroundings when approaching and driving through a work zone. Look for signs and workers giving you directions for driving through the zone. Instead of looking at the construction work, keep your eyes and mind focused on the road ahead to avoid accidents.
Construction Zone Accidents
Even though you take every precaution a safe driver can take to avoid a crash, you cannot control what others do in a work zone. Other drivers and even construction workers can cause collisions. If you are injured in a work zone, it is important to work with an attorney to determine who is liable for your injuries. If your claim involves a government agency, you must act quickly to protect your right to pursue a claim.
Don’t wait — call now for a free consultation!
Contact Tiemann Law Firm by calling (916) 999-9000.
