Fewer people are speeding through Maryland work zones these days, according to recent statistics. The use of mobile speed cameras appears to have contributed to more drivers taking it slower in these all-too dangerous areas.
Seven people died in work zones in 2008, prompting the state to crack down on speeding. When the state started installing mobile speed cameras at active work zones, the amount of speeding steadily declined. The number of tickets issued for speeding in work zones last year was 349,776, down considerably from 417,691 in 2012 and 529,367 in 2011.
Despite more drivers following the speed limit, the number of fatalities has not decreased. On the Baltimore Beltway alone, two highway workers died less than three months apart from each other. John Kahl, a 54-year-old landscape worker from Cecil County, died last month. Eddie Gilyard, a 50-year-old man and 25-year veteran of the State Highway Administration, died last November.
Overall, the state reports an average of 2,300 work zone accidents each year, roughly half of which end in injury. Hazards unique to construction zones in Maryland include the following:
- Rough road surfaces
- Narrow roads
- Detours
- Frequent lane changes
- Workers and equipment in close proximity to traffic
- Orange traffic cones
- Slow or stopped traffic
In a press release issued shortly after the latest fatal accident, the State Highway Administration noted, “It is critical that motorists remember that work zone safety is everyone’s business and that construction zones require every driver’s full attention. Lives of both workers and motorists are at stake.” The release went on to point out that “hundreds” of work zones may be active at any given time.
If you or a family member has been injured in a work zone, you should consult with an experienced Maryland car accident lawyer regarding your options. Call (800) 875-9700 for a free consultation.
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