North Carolina Construction News staff writer
A recent work zone safety survey has highlighted the dangers of highway work zones for motorists and workers in North Carolina, South Carolina and nationwide.
AGC of America’s national spokesman Brian Turmail released survey results and North Carolina Department of Transportation, discussed steps being taken to improve highway work zones safety.
Survey results include:
- 84% of contractors in North Carolina, 77% in South Carolina, and 64% nationwide, reported at least one crash in the past year involving a moving vehicle at highway work zones where they operate.
- 56% of North Carolina contractors and 62% in South Carolina reported experiencing five or more crashes during the past twelve months, compared to only 33% nationally.
- 24% of North Carolina contractors reported that a construction worker was killed in a crash in their work zones (none in South Carolina) while 29% of NC respondents and 27% of SC respondents who experienced crashes reported drivers or passengers were killed.
In addition to the legislative measures in North Carolina presented by Arp at the survey’s unveiling, in South Carolina new legislation—pushed by Carolinas AGC—will modernize the state’s driver training for all newly licensed drivers. This legislation, signed into law by Gov. Henry McMaster, makes South Carolina only the third state in the country to require construction work zone training be included in the training all new drivers receive before they can obtain a driver’s license.
“We are excited to have worked with Rep. Gary Brewer and Sen. Ross Turner, our lead sponsors, to enact this legislation,” Leslie Clark, Carolinas AGC COO and SC Divisions Director, said. “There’s nothing more important than our members returning home safely to their families after working tirelessly to maintain, improve, and build our state’s roads and bridges.
“We hope that all newly licensed drivers, after receiving this training, will understand the importance of safely navigating a construction work zone when they are operating a vehicle.