You may, like many other Indiana motorists, try to avoid traveling through road construction whenever possible. Yet, sometimes, avoiding work zones entirely is not feasible. When you have to make your way through an Indiana work zone, try to exercise extreme care, because the number of car crashes, injuries and fatalities occurring within these areas is on the rise.
According to WorkZoneSafety.org, there were 25 fatal work zone car wrecks in Indiana in 2019 alone, with those 25 wrecks leading to 32 fatalities. The average number of fatalities occurring in work zones over the previous three-year period was 27.3. This raises questions about what transportation officials might do to better protect drivers in these areas.
Work zone crash statistics
Of the 25 fatal wrecks that occurred in Indiana work zones in 2019, 11 involved commercial trucks. Those 11 commercial truck-involved crashes produced 16 fatalities. Often, those who lose their lives in work zones are drivers or passengers navigating the construction zones. Yet, construction workers, too, face risks. In 2019, three Indiana construction workers lost their lives in work zone crashes.
Work zone safety measures
You may not have much control over the actions of others who choose to speed, drive distracted or otherwise exercise negligence in construction zones. However, you may be able to cut your chances of involvement in a serious crash by remaining on high alert, slowing your speed and tapping your brakes a few times when you slow to a stop.
When someone does exercise negligence in a construction zone and you suffer an injury because of it, you may have grounds to hold that party accountable.