Workshop Report: Interaction with Public and Highway Users

It was unanimously agreed that to make any public information drive successful we must identify the areas that pose the most problems to drivers in work zones. This process begins with compiling far more extensive and accurate crash statistics, including total, property damage, injury, and fatalities data. Although a single fatal crash is extremely significant to those directly involved, using the published national figure of 700 fatalities in work zones fails to signify a significant national concern. We must better educate all parties involved in work zone safety, including contractors, workers, law enforcement personnel and the motoring public. There must be open communications among officials, contractors, laborers, transportation agencies, Federal officials, State legislatures and Congress.