Why Is It So Dangerous to Speed in a Work Zone?
Work zones are one of the most stressful parts of driving—local governments seem to have new projects on deck on a monthly basis, and those projects can slow down your commute or shut down important exits. Additionally, driving in work zones means obeying lower speed limits, and lots of drivers don’t like doing that.
The few minutes you may save by speeding simply are not worth the damage you may cause by driving too fast through a work zone. Learn more about the dangers caused by work zone speeding, and if someone you love has been hurt in a crash, call Reeves & Mestayer at 228-300-2754.
Work Zone Crashes Are Tragically Common
Work zone accidents have increased over the years, leading to avoidable deaths and injuries. In 2019, there were 845 work zone deaths. That jumped to 857 in 2020, despite the fact that the pandemic drastically decreased the miles driven across the country. Over 25% of the crashes in 2020 involved a commercial vehicle and 20% were the result of a rear-end collision. The most important statistic: in 37% of fatal work zone crashes, speeding was a factor.
Construction Workers Suffer High Work Injury Rates
In the majority of fatal work zone accidents, either vehicle drivers or passengers died. However, a full 170 of the people who died were people on foot and bicyclists. A substantial amount of pedestrian fatalities were likely construction workers, who face incredible risks when in a work zone.
In 2020, there were 4,764 total fatal injuries in the workplace. Of those, 1008 were in the construction industry—a full 21%. Construction workers are at immense risk of dying in work zone crashes, as they have little to no protection from serious injuries. Efforts to save a few minutes could lead to an avoidable death.
Speeding Doesn’t Save As Much Time as You Think
When you’re running late and the minutes just keep ticking, the urge to speed is overwhelming. But when you do the math, speeding saves very little time. Unless you’re on a cross-country road trip, speeding only saves you minutes—if not seconds. Arriving somewhere one or two minutes earlier is not worth the risk. Not only do you risk causing an accident, but you could also incur hefty fines.
Slow Down and Save Lives
When you look at the statistics, it’s clear that speeding in a work zone is reckless and dangerous. It’s hard enough driving in a work zone—people may not know how the lanes have moved, which lanes are closing, what the speed limit is, or if their exit is open. People are already frazzled, and when you add speed into the mix, it becomes even more dangerous. There’s a reason that the speed limit is lower in work zones—the likelihood of an accident is higher, and everyone slowing down makes the road safer for drivers and passengers.
Accidents are inevitable, but you can reduce your risk of being involved in one by slowing down and paying attention to the speed limit. When you feel the urge to speed and make up for lost time, remember that you’ll likely save yourself just one or two minutes. Then, think about if those one or two minutes are worth causing a serious injury, causing a death, or incurring a fine of at least $250 and paying higher insurance rates for years to come. Construction workers and others sharing the road with you deserve to make it home safely, so do your part by slowing down.
Contact the Team at Reeves & Mestayer Today
If you or someone you love is hurt in a work zone accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses. It all starts with a free consultation with the team at Reeves & Mestayer. Schedule your meeting with our team now by calling us at 228-300-2754 or reaching out online.
