Deadly Car Crashes in Work Zones Doubled in 2015, ODOT Reports
Last year in Ohio, twice as many motorists were killed in deadly work zone car accidents than in 2014, according to authorities at the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT). In fact, ODOT has reported that, in 2015, 30 people were killed in fatal work zone wrecks, marking the highest rate of these types of crashes in more than a decade.
While that finding may be distressing enough, so too are the discoveries that:
- More than 6,000 work zone car accidents occurred in Ohio in 2015.
- More than 665 people in the U.S. were killed in work zone car accidents in 2014.
- Since 2010, the rate of work zone car accidents across the nation has spiked by more than 14 percent.
Commenting on these findings, ODOT Director Jerry Wray has stated:
With a near-record number of construction projects currently underway all over Ohio, it’s critical that every driver be alert and slow down as they travel through work zones…Out on the road, none of us wants to be that driver, who ruins someone’s commute, day, or life…Instead, each of us wants to get home safely. In roadway work zones, engineers and construction workers make safety their top priority every day – for drivers as well as themselves. However, drivers need to do their part too.
Essential Tips for Avoiding a Work Zone Car Accident
Given that roadway construction projects tend to increase during the summer months (due to favorable weather conditions), here are some important tips to keep in mind whenever driving by, around or through work zones. These tips can help you minimize your risk of a work zone crash:
- Stay focused on the road and the task of driving when passing by or through roadway work zones.
- Always follow the adjusted speed limits and consider taking it even slower if traffic is denser or weather conditions are adverse.
- Carefully read the posted signs so you are aware of detours or other traffic changes for that area.
- Leave plenty of headroom (i.e., don’t tailgate) when driving through work zones.
Contact a Cleveland Car Accident Lawyer at the Piscitelli Law Firm
If you have been injured in a traffic crash – or if your loved one has died in a fatal wreck, contact a Cleveland car accident lawyer at the Piscitelli Law Firm to find out more about your rights to compensation and justice.
For more than two decades, Cleveland Lawyer Frank Piscitelli and the other legal professionals at the Piscitelli Law Firm have been standing up for injured people’s rights and working diligently to hold negligent parties responsible for their clients’ injuries and losses. We are dedicated to helping each of our clients get the justice they need and the financial recoveries they deserve.
Learn more about your rights and how we can help you by calling (800) 931-7071 or by emailing us to set up a free case evaluation. If you choose to move forward with us, you will not have to pay any legal fees until or unless you obtain a settlement in your case.
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