Nearly two-thirds of responding contractors in a new survey say their highway work projects have been to some degree subject to car crashes and accidents.
The survey, conducted by the Associated General Contractors of America and the construction software company HCSS, based in Sugar Land, Texas, additionally reveals that some 32% of the contractors questioned said five or more motor vehicle crashes had occurred in their work zones within the last year.
While most respondents indicated that no construction workers were injured during these crashes, a combination of 18% reported that anywhere from 1 to 5 workers had been injured, with 5% reporting worker fatalities.
Just under 40% of respondents said that their projects were delayed by anywhere from 1 to 5 days because of such accidents.
Meanwhile, the idea that everyone on the nation’s highways is driving faster, and that the incidence of vehicular crashes are on the increase, seemed to find support among respondents, with 58% agreeing with the statement that the risks of highway work zone crashes are greater now than they were a year ago.
While speeding and increased traffic were pointed to as two reasons for a generally more dangerous highway work zone environment, overwhelmingly, at 81%, respondents pointed to drivers talking on cell phones as the number one reason for accidents.
When asked what measures would help reduce the number of highway work zone crashes, respondents listed a “greater police presence” at such sites; followed by a stricter enforcement of both laws regarding work zone moving violations and cell phone usage.
In a statement accompanying the release of the survey, Steve McGough, chief executive officer of HCSS, called for greater surveillance of such work zones as a means to lessening the incidence of work zone accidents.
“Utilizing speed cameras with a zero-tolerance policy would go a long way to protect the traveling public and our workforce,” said McGough.
By Garry Boulard
