Work Zone Crash Data Shows Rising Risk for Highway GCs

This AGC and HCSS study examines highway work zone crash data and finds that motorists face significantly greater risk than workers in these environments, with distracted driving identified as the primary contributing factor. The article covers survey methodology, findings, and the association’s position on what policy changes could reduce risk. It’s directly relevant to GCs self-performing or subcontracting highway and road work.

The finding that motorists are the bigger casualty doesn’t reduce GC liability exposure, and that’s the part most project managers discount. One work zone fatality, worker or motorist, triggers OSHA investigation, project delays, and insurance consequences that can make a thin-margin civil job a loss. The real cost is almost never in the safety budget line. GCs pricing highway work should be treating OSHA’s construction safety standards for work zones as a floor, not a target, and making sure their traffic control subs are bonded and current on certifications before bid day, not after award.

Read the full story at AGC News.