Unless a person works in the construction industry, they may never think about how dangerous it can be to work in a work zone in which vehicles are driving through. According to the California Department of Transportation (CALTRANS), more than 3,000 people in the United States have lost their lives in the last five years in fatal work zone accidents.
They further point out that 85% of the people who died in those accidents were in a vehicle – not working on a job site. They also point out that more than one-quarter of the car accidents were caused or affected by speeding. For these reasons, CALTRAN has made a direct call to action to get three new safety initiatives in place to help protect workers.
The Three Steps CALTRANS Wants to See Implemented
CALTRANS has studied the issue and has come up with what they consider three essential work zone safety steps that should be implemented to reduce accidents and deaths. They include:
- Lowering speed limits in work zones.
- Ensuring there is more safe between traffic and workers.
- Extending the work window of workers. This gives them the flexibility to work when it’s safer and to get jobs done faster. This has the added bonus of resulting in less impact to the public when projects are taken on.
While the above steps may seem relatively simple and easy to convince others to implement, the truth is that it will take work to get these initiatives passed – even though they can easily save lives.
What You Can Do to Keep Workers Safe in Work Zones
There are some steps that CALTRANS recommends drivers take to ensure they are “Work Zone Alert.” This involves being aware when you are entering a work zone. Slow down and drive very vigilantly. Remember that some workers are just inches from the road and that their lives can be put at risk if you or another driver is distracted by a cell phone or is otherwise not driving as safely as possible. Always be on the lookout for workers, ready to changes, and ready to stop if necessary.
Have You or a Loved One Been Injured in a Work Zone or At Work?
If you or a loved one has been injured in a work zone, or at work, then you may have legal steps that can help you afford the associated costs. This includes medical bills but also lost wages, property damage, and more. The best way to find out what your options are is to contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 for a free legal consultation. We are standing by to answer your questions for you.
