Road Construction Accidents Increase Even as COVID-19 Keeps Drivers Away

With the COVID-19 lockdowns, many state DOTs fast tracked construction jobs thinking there would be fewer cars on the road. However, in 2020, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recently reported, 7% more people were killed on U.S. roadways even though Americans drove 13% fewer miles than they did the year before. Speeding and distracted driving have increasingly been the biggest problems for road worker safety. State officials and contractors are taking steps to improve work zone safety through training programs and new technology such as wearables to alert workers when hazards are near. Most states have laws requiring drivers to slow down and move over when passing maintenance vehicles. Some jurisdictions are combining public awareness campaigns with police crackdowns.