Construction, confused drivers present dangers in work zones

On Behalf of | Sep 27, 2018 | Motor Vehicle Accidents |

These days, it is all but impossible to travel Georgia’s roads without encountering road construction and work zones, but for some motorists, making their way through these areas can prove difficult and dangerous. At McCamy, Phillips, Tuggle & Fordham, LLP, we recognize just how frequently work zones are a factor in car crashes, and we have assisted many clients who suffered injury after accidents that occurred in these areas.

Per the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration, the number of accidents that occurred in the nation’s work zones rose nearly 8 percent between 2014 and 2015, with 70 work zone crashes causing injuries every day. Furthermore, 96,626 work zone crashes took place in 2015, with 642 of them resulting in one or more fatalities.

While certain elements of work zones, such as unpredictable or irregular traffic patterns, commonly cause accidents, other drivers who are not paying close attention to roadway irregularities or changes in typical traffic patterns also often play a role. This is particularly likely if other motorists are engaging in dangerous driving behaviors while navigating their way through work zones, such as speeding or consuming alcohol.

In fact, alcohol was a factor in 25 percent of all fatal work zone crashes that occurred in 2014, and speeding was a factor in 28 percent of fatal work zone accidents that took place that same year. Failing to wear a seatbelt also came into play in about a quarter of all fatal accidents in 2014, undermining just how important it is to put your belt on before every trip. You can learn more about motor vehicle accidents by visiting our webpage.