Statistics

In addition to the legal reasons for adhering to regulations for temporary traffic control during roadway construction, there are significant safety reasons. As we have stated, roadway work zones are dangerous places, and the statistics support this statement.

Roadway construction is always happening. During the peak construction season, about one-fifth of the U.S. highway system will be undergoing construction work, repairs, or maintenance.

Drivers are likely to encounter roadway construction frequently. Each year in the U.S., nearly 12 billion travel miles are through construction zones, and drivers using the American highway system will encounter one mile of highway construction for each 100 miles they drive.

Crashes in roadway work zones result in significant numbers of fatalities. In 2014 alone, there were nearly 670 fatalities from crashes in roadway work zones, accounting for nearly 2 percent of all 2014 roadway fatalities nationally.

Workers on foot are highly vulnerable. Between 1998 and 2003, 16 Washington State roadway workers were killed while performing their work duties in roadway work zones. All but one of these people were on foot at the time of the fatal accidents.

The MUTCD states that motorists are unlikely to slow down as they pass through roadway construction work zones unless they perceive a need to do so. Employers and employees must work hard to address the dangers present in this workplace.

To learn more about Roadway Temporary Traffic Control visit our Construction Roadway Temporary Traffic Control Online Training web page.