AASHTO Journal, 27 April 2012
More than two-thirds of the nation’s highway contractors report vehicles have crashed into their construction work zones during the past year, says a study by the Associated General Contractors of America.
The 2012 Work Zone Awareness survey, in which almost 400 contractors completed, also finds these work zone crashes more often kill construction workers than drivers or passengers of the vehicles that caused the crash. Additionally, 28 percent of survey responders report their workers were injured during work zone crashes in the last year, while 18 percent report at least one construction worker death.
More of AGC’s findings from the 2012 Work Zone Awareness Survey are available at bit.ly/agcsafetysurvey. These survey results were released Monday, during National Work Zone Awareness Week, an annual campaign that takes place every April to draw public attention to highway work zone safety.
Since 1999, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials has worked with the Federal Highway Administration and the American Traffic Safety Services Association to coordinate and sponsor the annual week-long event.
The Missouri Department of Transportation was selected to host this year’s national kick-off and the National Work Zone Memorial traveling tribute to the memory of individuals who have lost their lives in the nation’s work zones.
MoDOT kicked off the national observance at the Route 141 reconstruction project, an active work zone, near St. Louis. The event featured comments from Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez and family members of MDOT workers killed in highway work zones.
“We need motorists to pay attention to highway construction and drive with caution to prevent senseless deaths and injuries,” said Kevin Keith, MoDOT director, in a statement. “We’re also asking motorists to give us their feedback once they’ve arrived at their destination. This kind of first-hand information will help us make adjustments and improve safety for motorists and work crews.”
This year’s national campaign slogan, “Don’t Barrel Through Work Zones! Drive Smart to Arrive Alive,” has been brought to life through the campaign’s official 2012 Public Service Announcement, available at bit.ly/IBJ2. The PSA features real people trying to convince motorist to slow down through a busy work zone in the shadow of the nation’s Capitol. Many state DOTs also produced videos on work zone safety, including one by Washington State Department of Transportation, available at bit.ly/WSDOTwzsafety.