The link between road construction and car crashes

Encountering road construction is a common occurrence for most Connecticut residents, but these work zones present numerous hazards that can make them hotbeds for car crashes. At Kennedy, Johnson, Schwab & Roberge, L.L.C., we recognize that work zone car crashes are on the rise across America, and we have helped many people who suffered injury because of the negligence of someone else pursue appropriate recourse.

Per the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration, the number of construction zone crashes that took place on the nation’s roads rose sharply in recent years. So much so, in fact, that the number of car crashes taking place in these areas climbed 42 percent between 2013 and 2015, highlighting just how much a problem these construction zones continue to be for motorists.

Just what is it about navigating through road construction that makes it so hazardous? Some work zone car crashes arise because drivers are confused about new traffic patterns, or because they cannot see clearly around large trucks or machinery. Others arise because other drivers are behaving carelessly, and the work zones make already hazardous driving behaviors even more potentially dangerous.

For example, speed is often a factor in construction zone crashes, and alcohol frequently is, too. In fact, speed was an issue in 172 of 2014’s 607 fatal construction zone crashes, while alcohol came into play in 132 of them. Furthermore, failure to wear a seatbelt was a factor in 133 fatal work zone crashes that occurred on the nation’s roadways in 2014. You can find out more about car crashes by exploring our webpage.