In 2022, 891 people were killed in work zone crashes, according to Injury Facts – an online source of preventable death and injury statistics compiled by the National Safety Council. Of those, 528 occurred in construction work zones.
Drivers and passengers account for most fatalities in work zone crashes. This means everyone needs to work together to slow down, stay focused and give road users plenty of space, NSC says.
Roadway workers should:
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- Be aware of their surroundings, watching for nearby drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians.
- Dress for safety by wearing high-visibility protective clothing, a hard hat and steel-toed shoes.
- Use warning signs and temporary traffic barriers to create a safe buffer between themselves and traffic.
- Design work zones to reduce or eliminate the need for vehicles to back up.
Drivers should:
- Pay attention and follow directions for changing lanes, stopping or merging.
- Reduce speed in heavy traffic or poor conditions.
- Watch for workers, equipment and aggressive drivers.
- Avoid distracted driving. On average, eight people a day die in distracted driving-related crashes.
