2 out of 5 highway contractors experienced work zone crash in past year: survey

Arlington, VA – Thirty-eight percent of highway contractors experienced motor vehicles crashing into their construction work zones in the past year, according to a survey (.pdf file) from the Associated General Contractors of America.

The organization surveyed nearly 800 highway construction firms nationwide in March and April. Among the results:

• 18 percent of crashes resulted in at least one construction worker injury in the past year, while 8 percent resulted in a worker death.
• 46 percent of crashes resulted in at least one vehichle driver or passenger injury, while 14 percent resulted in a driver or passenger death.
• Of the respondents who reported a crash in their work zone, about one-third experienced five or more crashes.
• 70 percent of respondents said improved and timelier safety training for construction workers would help reduce the number of crashes, injuries and fatalities in work zones.

AGC also released survey results for select states.