Even as lockdowns swept the nation last year reducing traffic on the roadways, 60% of highway contractors reported motor vehicle crashes in their work zones over the past year, nationwide. According to a report on Construction Five, a survey about highway work zone dangers released by construction software company HCSS and the Associated General Contractors of America shows that these work zone crashes continued even as overall traffic declined due to the coronavirus pandemic and related lockdowns.
Rise in Work Zone Crashes
The survey showed 60% of highway contractors reported motor vehicles crashes
into their work zones over the past year. In 2020, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) had reported that 7% more people were killed on U.S. roadways even though Americans drove 13% fewer miles than they did the year before. Safety advocates and experts say a “perfect storm” of people driving too fast and more unexpected road closures as construction ramped up, caused more work zone crashes.
Last year, Pew Charitable Trusts also issued a report that suggested work zone crashes and fatalities increased in spite of steep reductions in vehicle miles traveled. The report had blamed speeding, citing examples of vehicles speeding through construction zones at well over 100 mph. Officials say speeding and distracted driving have posed the biggest dangers for workers in construction zones during the pandemic.
New York’s Crackdown
Some states like New York are combining public awareness campaigns with police enforcement. In New York State, 444 tickets (including 135 for cell phone use and 81 for speeding) were issued as part of Operation Hardhat, an initiative to crack down on work zone violations and highlight safe driving around highway construction that was part of National Work Zone Awareness Week in April.
Six highway workers in New York’s work zones ended up hospitalized in the last week of April as a result of work zone crashes, according to a statement by the New York State Department of Transportation. Under Operation Hardhat, police officers were present in work zones dressed as highway maintenance workers to identify motorists who are distracted by electronic devices while driving, disobey flagging personnel, speed through the work zone or violate the state’s Move Over Law, which applies to both emergency and maintenance vehicles.
Funding and Solutions
State departments of transportation, construction firms and the federal government are taking steps to improve work zone safety. The Federal Highway Association for example has given state and local departments of transportation more than $40 million since 2005 for specialized work zone safety training. Officials are also looking at new technology such as wearables that vibrate to let workers know when hazards are near. Safety experts say tougher laws such as those against cell phone use can also help prevent these crashes.
Contacting an Experienced Lawyer
A car accident victim who was injured by someone else’s negligence (carelessness) and/or wrongdoing can file a personal injury lawsuit against the responsible individual and/or entity and seek compensation for medical expenses, lost income and benefits, hospitalization, cost of rehabilitation, permanent injuries, disabilities, long-term care, past and future pain and suffering, etc. Families that have lost loved ones may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the negligent (careless) parties seeking compensation as well.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident or pedestrian accident, or if you have lost a loved one in an auto accident caused by a negligent (careless) driver, the experienced New York personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Kenneth A. Wilhelm can help you better understand your legal rights and options, and also fight hard to recover just compensation for you.
For nearly 50 years, our skilled accident attorneys have established a proven track record of helping injured victims get fair compensation for their losses. Our law firm recently recovered $5,600,000 for a bicyclist who was hit by a van, and $2,550,000 for another victim of a truck accident, and $3,000,000 for a pedestrian who was hit by a car, and the full $1,000,000 insurance policy for a pedestrian who was hit by a truck, and $4,625,000 for a driver who was in a car and was hit by a van, and $2,500,000 for a man who fell through an improperly secured hole. Also, one of our clients obtained a verdict for $43,940,000 and another of our clients got a verdict for $23,500,000, both in medical malpractice cases.
Please contact us TOLL FREE 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-WORK-4-YOU (1-800-967-5496). WE CAN EVEN COME TO YOU. There is no attorneys’ fee unless we recover money for you. We can also help with personal injury and/or medical malpractice cases in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, or Florida. If you have been injured in any of the 50 U.S. states, please call us and we will try to help you with your case.
Other TOLL FREE phone numbers for us are:
1-800-RADIO-LAW, 1-888-WYPADEK, OR 1-800-LAS-LEYES
Please visit us at: www.WORK4YOULAW.com
Source: https://www.constructiondive.com/news/road-construction-accidents-increase-even-as-covid-19-keeps-drivers-away/601632/