Work Zone Deaths Demand Wake-up Call

The number of highway work zone fatalities is epidemic and averages more than 50 per month. Work zone deaths occur at a rate five times more than that of all law enforcement, fire, and rescue and EMS in-the-line-of-duty traffic-related deaths combined. Everybody who operates a motor vehicle as part of his or her job is at risk of being involved in a roadway crash. Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among all workers. Citing crash statistics available, this article makes a work zone wake-up call. It lists the existing technologies and approaches that have proved to be effective in reducing work zone deaths and injuries.