NC work zone crash dangers hit alarming level in new survey, state officials warn
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — New survey results show a disturbing trend when it comes to the safety of drivers and workers on North Carolina roadways.
On Thursday, construction leaders and state officials gathered at an NCDOT site in Raleigh to discuss the survey, which found 84% of construction firms working on North Carolina highway upgrades have experienced vehicle crashes into work sites in the past year. The survey was conducted by the Associated General Contractors of America and Heavy Construction Systems Specialists.
Respondents to the survey included more than 700 contractors. They were also asked if they had ever seen any crashes which involved injuries to a driver or work crew member. Nearly three-quarters of contractors in the state—73%—said they did.
Additionally, 24% said those crashes in North Carolina included construction worker deaths and 29% said they included driver or passenger deaths.
One who spoke at Thursday’s event recounted a loss experienced by his team.
“She was a mother, a daughter, a sister, a grandmother — and she was lost because of inattention behind the wheel,” said Skip Partington, VP of Barnhill Contracting.
So what’s causing the high percentage of work zone crashes in the state?
State officials told CBS 17 its not just about speed, though that is one factor. It’s also a byproduct of the area’s growth, which brings with it more people and more vehicles. Phone usage while driving and increased levels of traffic also contribute to the issue.
COO of the NCDOT, Chris Peoples said, “Any of those things just make an already tough situation tougher to navigate.”
The AGC is now pushing Congress to take action by requiring the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to collect more data and to put together plans to reduce work zone crashes in the future. One piece of legislation aiming to help would require a work zone safety course for new drivers and increase fines for speeding in work zones.
“We require little or no training on how to safely maneuver in those work zones from our drivers. This proposed provision fixes that,” said NC Rep. Dean Arp (R-69).
The bottom line shared by all officials who took part in the survey is for drivers to not only slow down, but pay better attention this summer as travels take them through work zones.
“Better training and public policies will help,” said Brian Turmail, an AGC spokesperson. “But the ultimate responsibility lies with motorists.”
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