Survey: 60% of Contractors Experienced a Highway Work Zone Crash in the Last 12 Months

A recent survey conducted by the Associated General Contractors of America has shed light on the frequency of work zone vehicle accidents, the number of injuries, and the preferences of contractors on how to address the issue.

The survey, carried out in collaboration with software provider HCSS, revealed that 60% of contractors reported a motor vehicle accident in one of their highway work zones in the past year. This shows a 4% decrease from the previous year’s survey but a 5% increase from 2023. Nearly one-third of contractors stated that five or more crashes had occurred at their job sites within the last year.

In the incidents reported by the surveyed contractors, drivers were more likely to be injured than workers. Over 70% of contractors mentioned that the accidents they experienced resulted in at least one injured driver, with 26% reporting five or more injured drivers, while 30% reported injuries to their employees. The trend continued with fatalities, as 24% of contractors reported driver deaths from accidents, and 13% reported worker fatalities.

During the webinar revealing the survey results, Jeff Shoaf, AGC’s CEO, emphasized the association’s initiatives to enhance data collection and safety training to reduce these occurrences. Shoaf mentioned the importance of drivers slowing down and paying attention in work zones and urged Congress to require comprehensive data collection on work zone crashes and the development of behavioral solutions to reduce accidents.

Apart from injuries and fatalities, contractors disclosed that the crashes had affected the progress of their projects. The survey found that 60% of contractors experienced delays due to accidents, with 14% reporting delays of five days or more.

When comparing the current risk of accidents to one year ago, contractors were divided in their opinions. About 51% believed the risk was similar to last year, while 47% felt it had increased. Furthermore, 35% of contractors noted a rise in work zone crashes at night compared to a year ago, with reasons including distracted driving, speeding, and impaired driving.

Only 13% of contractors considered the current penalties for driving violations in work zones as sufficient, while 36% believed they were not severe enough, and 39% criticized the enforcement of penalties as inadequate. In terms of deterrence, 43% of contractors found police presence and speeding cameras effective, while 33% disagreed.

When asked about measures to reduce work zone crashes, injuries, and fatalities, the majority of respondents (80%) favored greater police presence at highway work zones. This was followed by stricter enforcement of existing laws, stricter laws against distracted driving, and road closures and detours. Only a small percentage of contractors believed that no new measures were necessary.