Driving is dangerous enough, having to watch out for reckless or negligent drivers; throw construction and confusing detours due to construction into the mix, and driving can get downright stressful. According to the Federal Highway Administration, between 1982 and 2014 there were 24,745 fatalities in work zone accidents (that’s about 750 per year). The peak year for work zone fatalities was 2002, when 1,186 people died in construction and maintenance zones, but they have since dropped to an average of 591 per year. However, construction and road work zones are still not completely safe for workers or drivers. So, what are some of the things drivers and construction workers should be aware of in construction zones? These are some of the main causes of accidents in road construction.
REAR CRASHES
When a construction zone is approaching, there will likely be a lot of signs and maybe even workers up ahead helping to direct traffic. Due to all this activity, much of the traffic stops and goes. If a driver is not paying attention during this intermittent traffic, there is an increased risk of a rear-end collision if he follows too closely and does not see the car in front of him stop.
MISPLACED SIGNS OR CONES
It is the responsibility of the construction crew to make sure they are doing everything they can to keep drivers safe by posting signs indicating how traffic should flow and any alerts the driver needs to be aware of. If drivers are not being properly guided through traffic due to a misplaced sign or cone, this can lead to an accident.
CONSTRUCTION DEBRIS LITTERING THE ROAD
Where there is construction, there is likely to be a lot of debris left. This is certainly true in road construction, but it can be very dangerous if drivers accidentally hit construction debris they weren’t expecting. Hitting debris can cause drivers to panic and lose control of the vehicle, or swerve to avoid it, which could lead to an accident with another vehicle. Construction crews must be careful to clean up debris that has been scattered on the road to help keep drivers safe.
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Have you or a loved one been injured in a road construction accident in Georgia? The negligence of a driver or construction company may mean that you are entitled to compensation for your injuries. Call the Fry | Goehring at (404) 969-1284 to learn more about whether taking legal action makes sense for you.
