A troubling number of roadway contractors are reporting an uptick in collisions at highway construction sites, with nearly three in five experiencing at least one vehicle crash in a work zone over the past year. Even more concerning, nearly one-third of firms reported five or more such incidents during the same period.

These findings come from a new survey released by the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC), in partnership with HCSS, a construction management software firm. The survey sheds light on growing concerns about work zone safety, as contractors say both workers and motorists face increasing risks amid ongoing infrastructure activity.

“Every day tens of thousands of Americans work alongside our highways, often with little more between them and rushing traffic than an orange barrel,” said AGC CEO Jeffrey Shoaf during a webinar discussing the report. “Our data shows that too often, the American people are letting them down.”

The report reinforces a long-standing trend: Drivers and passengers are far more likely to be injured or killed in work zone crashes than the workers themselves. While 30% of contractors reported a worker injury, 71% said drivers or passengers were hurt in crashes at their sites. Furthermore, 13% said at least one worker had died, and 24% reported at least one fatality involving a driver or passenger.

Contractors Say the Danger Is Growing

In a reflection of mounting frustration, 47% of surveyed contractors said work zones are more hazardous now than they were a year ago. Contributing factors cited include distracted driving, speeding, and a lack of enforcement of existing traffic laws in and around construction areas.

While nearly 40% of respondents said penalties for speeding are strong enough, they added that enforcement efforts fall short. An additional 36% said current penalties are too weak to deter dangerous behavior.

Contractors also weighed in on potential solutions. Among the most popular measures:

• Greater police presence at work zones (supported by 80% of respondents),
• Stricter enforcement of current traffic laws (70%), and
• Tighter restrictions on cellphone use while driving (66%).

“Too few drivers see the need to slow down and pay attention in work zones because too few states have made work zone safety a priority,” Shoaf said.

Industry Groups Push Congress for Action

The AGC is not alone in calling for systemic change. Earlier this year, the American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA) and the National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA) announced a coalition aimed at advocating for stronger safety provisions in the next federal highway bill. These efforts are expected to focus on enhancing law enforcement support, technology upgrades, and public education campaigns to reduce work zone crashes.

States and Tech Firms Step In

Some states are already taking proactive steps. On the same webinar, Michael Gallant, director of industry relations and government affairs for Boston-based Haulhub Technologies, highlighted a pilot initiative that aims to make work zones more visible to drivers through digital alerts.

Working with transportation departments in Delaware, Iowa, Nebraska, and Louisiana, Haulhub helped launch a federal pilot program to collect and share real-time construction data. That information is now being pushed to popular navigation apps like Waze, giving motorists up-to-the-minute warnings when crews are actively working on site.

“It’s about making sure that when someone steps into a work zone, they’re not invisible,” Gallant said.

By increasing transparency and real-time communication, advocates hope to change driver behavior and reduce the number of tragic collisions that happen each year on America’s roads.

Originally reported by Zachary Phillips in Construction Dive.