On average, over 700 fatalities occur in work zones each year. Both commercial motor vehicle (CMV) operators and passenger vehicle drivers must exercise extra caution when traveling through these areas.
Work Zone Accidents
Large trucks, buses, and other commercial vehicles face unique challenges in work zones:
- Limited maneuverability and large blind spots make navigation more difficult.
- Large trucks are disproportionately involved in work zone crashes due to these limitations.
Risks in and Around Work Zones
Highway workers face multiple hazards from the movement of construction vehicles and equipment, as well as from nearby traffic:
- Workers often operate close to construction vehicles and motor vehicle traffic.
- They may work under low lighting, poor visibility, inclement weather, or in congested areas with high traffic volume and speed.
- Vehicle or equipment operators face risks of overturns, collisions, or getting caught in running equipment.
- Flaggers and workers on foot are at risk of being struck by vehicles or construction equipment, especially when they are not visible to drivers or operators.