From Jalopnik · Charles Krome · · 50s
Highway Work Zones: Driver Risks Outweigh Workers
Motorists face 60% more crashes than workers in highway zones.
In brief
Motorists face 60% more crashes than workers in highway zones. Motorists account for 673 of 850 work zone deaths in 2024, with driver-passenger injuries far exceeding worker injuries. Originally reported by Jalopnik.
Quick answers
- Who Faces Greater Risk?
- Motorists continue to face far greater risks than construction workers in highway work zone crashes.
- What is the key takeaway from Highway Work Zones: Driver Risks Outweigh Workers?
- Motorists account for 673 of 850 work zone deaths in 2024, with driver-passenger injuries far exceeding worker injuries.
Who Faces Greater Risk?
Motorists continue to face far greater risks than construction workers in highway work zone crashes.
“Motorists continue to face far greater risks than construction workers in highway work zone crashes”
Work Zone Crash Statistics
27% of contractors saw worker injuries, but 60% saw driver-passenger injuries.
“27% had seen incidents involving worker injuries. Yet nearly 60% had seen crashes that led to driver-passenger injuries”
Fatalities in 2024
850 work zone deaths in 2024, 673 driver-passenger fatalities.
“850 total work-zone deaths, representing a 46% jump since 2010”
Economic Impact
113,000 work zone crashes caused $41 billion in economic costs.
“approximately 113,000 work-zone crashes overall, causing some $41 billion in associated economic costs”
Work Crew Safety Concerns
40% of workers want stricter penalties for traffic infractions in work zones.
“40% of work-crew members wanted more drastic penalties for traffic infractions in work zones”
Why Work Zones Are Dangerous
Arterial roads with heavy traffic, speeding, and distracted driving cause most crashes.
“Most work-zone crashes happen on arterial roads, where traffic patterns change and speeding is common”
The short version
Motorists account for 673 of 850 work zone deaths in 2024, with driver-passenger injuries far exceeding worker injuries.
