Work Zone Fatalities, Injuries, & Crashes
Between 2013 and 2023, work zone fatalities increased 50 percent. In 2023, over 898 work zone fatalities were recorded. 9 Stated another way, 898 work zone fatalities is the equivalent of 5 commercial domestic airliners. In 2021, over 105,000 work zone crashes were estimated to have occured resulting in over 42,000 injuries. 8, Stated another way, 42,000 injuries is about the capacity of a football stadium.
Damages and losses from work zone crashes are estimated to reach over $38.9 billion annually (2025 dollars, comprehensive crash costs). 28, 29, 43 Cost savings from reducing the number crashes by implementing Positive Protection & barrier separation in work zones can be estimated at over $3.8-$8.9 billion annually (10%-23% of work zone crash costs, 2025 dollars). 42 Stated another way, $3.8 to $8.9 billion in annual cost savings is equivalent to 7 to 17 transportation "Major Projects". 47
In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, work zone crashes & fatalities climbed despite lower traffic volumes. 20, 21, 22, 23, 32, 33 For the first half of 2021, USDOT estimated another 18.4% surge in traffic fatalities over 2020 and the largest number of traffic fatalities since 2006. 35 In 2021, TxDOT reported that work zone fatalities in fact surged 33%. 36 For the first quarter of 2022, USDOT estimated a record increase in fatalities nationwide. 38 In early 2024, the Governor's Highway Safety Association (GHSA) found that the U.S. pedestrian fatality rate has jumped 48% from a decade ago. 34
Working unprotected on or along our roadways is hazardous. In a 2025 AGC survey, most highway contractors (60%) reported crashes into their work zones. [51] A prior study found that 38% of "Pedestrian" fatalities in work zones were highway workers (i.e. road construction/maintenance workers, utility workers, and planning/surveying workers). "In 2015, 35 percent of all highway worker fatalities at road construction sites resulted from a vehicle striking a worker. By 2021, this alarming figure had increased to 63 percent" notes Laborers' Health & Safety Fund of North America (LHSFNA). 44 Highway Workers died on the job 3.7 times more often than the average American worker & 19 times more often than Engineering & Office/Administrative workers each year. 39,40
More motorists and road workers are being killed or injured in preventable work zone crashes. Tunnel, culvert, bridge repair work zones, etc. are known to be especially hazardous with high-speed traffic moving in close proximity to employees, roadside hazards, and/or little or no means for employees to escape from errant moving vehicles. High-speed traffic is also well known to be hazardous for highway workers. A December 2024 IIHS study also found during an impact with a modern taller SUVs and pickup, pedestrians (i.e. workers on foot) are at extremely high risk. When struck by a median U.S. pickup, a highway worker has an 85% likelihood of severe injury at just 33 mph and an 85% likelihood of dying at just 45 mph. [50]
Fortunately, Positive Protection barriers can be used to directly control these hazards to highway workers, who are among the most "Vulnerable Road Users". Federal law and ANSI Standard A10.47-2021 (§4.4) specify types of projects that require Positive Protection & barrier separation in work zones.
In a national survey, 89% of highway contractors think Positive Protection would help improve safety and prevent these horrific crashes. 4 Speaking up about work zone safety issues could reduce risk & save a life.
"...safety, health, and well-being are inherent rights of every worker."
Today, we have the technology, 'know how', and responsibility to protect highway workers from errant vehicles by implementing Positive Protection. The USDOT Safe System Approach emphasizes that "Safety is Proactive" (e.g. implementing Positive Protection barriers proactively) and that "Death/Serious Injury is Unacceptable".
In 2015, Congress directed FHWA to "do all within its power to protect workers in highway work zones." 45 Federal law and ANSI Standard A10.47-2021 (§4.4) identify types of projects that require Positive Protection. For such projects, a “separate pay item” for positive protection is required under federal law and regulations. 1, 11 The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 (IIJA) amends the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) to increase funding & protection for "Vulnerable Road Users", which includes "highway workers on foot". 41 In 2021, USDOT set the value of a single life (VSL) at $11.8 million dollars. 13, 37
In 2021, California launched its award-winning Caltrans Positive Protection Program which directs Caltrans design engineers and Contractors to use Positive Protection to ensure worker safety. California research found a cost benefit for highly mobile barrier of $1.9 million per year, per barrier in 2008 ($2.87 million in 2025 dollars). 14
"If a work zone has 'no means of escape' from motorized traffic, then no operating speed is truly safe. An unprotected worker who cannot escape faces serious injury from motor vehicles at any speed, even walking speeds... One study cited by FHWA show[ed] that the risk of a pedestrian crash fatality reaches 45% at 30 mph and 85% at 40 mph, and another study estimat[ed] that pedestrians have less than a 50% chance of surviving a crash with a vehicle traveling 30 mph or above... The risks posed to road workers will likely further increase as the size of vehicles in the U.S. continues to grow larger. According to a recent Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (“IIHS”) study, the average U.S. passenger vehicle has grown 4 inches wider, 10 inches longer, 8 inches taller, and 1,000 pounds heavier over the past 30 years. Significantly, the IIHS study found that vehicles with higher front ends (pickup trucks, SUVs and vans with a hood height greater than 40 inches) were 44% to 45% more likely to cause fatalities in crashes with pedestrians than smaller cars and trucks. "
"Blaming human error alone is convenient, but it places all Americans in greater danger."
"Motorists will inevitably make mistakes. Too often they pay for their mistakes with their lives – or the lives of innocent bystanders.... We have the technology and 'know how' to build our roadway system to anticipate user error. It can be designed, constructed, equipped, and operated to forgive the errant user and protect the innocent victim."
“A physical barrier provides one of the best possible protection solutions for workers exposed to the flow of traffic. [Implementing Positive Protection] is a common-sense and cost-effective way for safety reform that will prevent death and injuries of workers on roads and highways.”
"We have the technology and 'know how' to build our roadway system to anticipate user error. It can be designed, constructed, equipped, and operated to forgive the errant user and protect the innocent victim."
2025 Contractor Reported Work Zone Crashes, Project Delays, Injuries, & Fatalities
The Associated General Contractors of America's (AGC) 2025 nationwide study on highway work zone safety reveals that 60% of highway contractors reported work zone crashes over the last year. As a result of these work zone crashes, 60% of firms reported project delays, 13% reported worker fatalities, 30% reported worker injuries, 24% reported public fatalities, and 61% reported public injuries. 98% of highway contractors also reported that the risk of highway work zone crashes is as great or greater than a year ago. [51]
In 2025, 60% of Highway Contractors Reported Crashes
into their Construction Work Zones
AGC Study - Outcomes of Work Zone Crashes
51,
(Mouseover data points for details.)
The 2019 AGC study revealed that an increasing percentage of contractors believe Positive Protection would improve safety on their projects.
- 89% of contractors report that increased use of Positive Protection barriers would help reduce injuries and fatalities on their projects. 4
Estimated National Work Zone Crashes & Injuries 8
The number of crashes in work zones and injuries resulting from those crashes has been increasing.
- In 2021, an estimated 105,000 crashes and 42,000 injuries were estimated to have occurred in work zones.
Estimated Work Zone Crashes and Resulting Injuries*
* Estimated Work Zone Crashes & Injuries Data are obtained from NHTSA statistical models (NASS/GES & CRSS). The NHTSA statistical models underestimate work zone crash fatalities by as much as 64% in 2019 (see Table 1 below). In general, the NHTSA FARS & CRSS crash report datasets underreport work zone crashes as well as resulting injuries and fatalities (see note †).
Table 1. NHTSA CRSS Statistical Model Percent Error:| 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Recorded Fatalities (FARS) |
701 | 781 | 806 | 754 | 842 | 857 | 954 |
| Estimated Fatalities (CRSS Statistical Model) |
349 | 525 | 597 | 636 | 298 | 478 | 714 |
| Percent Error (of CRSS Statistical Model) |
-50% | -32% | -26% | -15% | -64% | -44% | -33% |
National Work Zone Crash Fatalities 9
Work zone crash fatalities have been on the rise nationally.
- 50% increase in fatalities since 2013.
Fatalities Resulting from Work Zone Crashes†
†
In general, the NHTSA FARS & GES/CRSS crash report datasets underreport work zone crashes as well as resulting injuries and fatalities.
The statistic for fatalities resulting from work zone crashes is obtained from NHTSA FARS dataset which attempts to aggregate various state police crash report datasets.
However, crashes occurring inside work zones are not always properly classified by police as work zone related.
A cursory glance of NHTSA FARS data in 2018 quickly reveals examples of missed fatalities resulting from work zone crashes. A number of studies confirm that work zone crashes are underreported in crash report datasets.
31
Pedestrian Fatalities in Work Zones
Work zone pedestrian fatalities encompass both workers and members of the public. 38% of pedestrian fatalities in work zones occurred while working in 2018.
In 2023, 176 pedestrians were struck and killed inside a work zone. Alarmingly, in 2023, 40% of pedestrians were struck and killed inside a work zone with a speed limit of 45 mph or less. 9
Tunnel, culvert, bridge repair work zones, etc. are known to be especially hazardous with high-speed traffic moving in close proximity to employees, roadside hazards, and/or little or no means for employees to escape from errant moving vehicles.
High-speed traffic is also well known to be hazardous for highway workers. A December 2024 IIHS study also found during an impact with a modern taller SUVs and pickup, pedestrians are at extremely high risk. When struck by a median U.S. pickup, a highway worker has an 85% likelihood of severe injury at just 33 mph and an 85% likelihood of dying at just 45 mph. [50]
“As crash speed increases from 15 mph to 35 mph, the risk of a serious injury [for a pedestrian] goes from 9% to 52% when a median-height car is involved. With a median pickup, the risk [of a serious injury for a pedestrian] shoots up from 11% to 91% [as crash speed increases from 15 mph to 35 mph]... The findings point to the need for policymakers and traffic engineers to account for the makeup of the U.S. fleet. A commonly used benchmark for a 'safe' crash speed is one at which the risk of serious injury is 10% or less.”
Work zone pedestrian fatalities are often assumed to be members of the public who have fallen into complacency walking a routine route. However, in 2018, 38% of pedestrian fatalities in work zones were actually on the job and primarily engaged in road work, utility work, and planning/surveying.
Work activities at the time of death include activities such as installing traffic signs, reopening a lane, flagging, picking up debris, replacing damaged concrete, paving operations, exiting a work vehicle, utility work, construction labor, DOT electrical work, DOT maintenance work, fence contracting, repairing guardrail, stringing cable guard rail, and repairing a bridge.
Based on a review of each work zone pedestrian fatality, it is found that
- Activity: Many Pedestrian Fatalities in Work Zones occurred while working (38%, 46 of 122).
- Work Activity: The majority of Working Pedestrian Fatalities in Work Zones were engaged in road work, utility work, planning/surveying (87%, 40 of 46 Working Pedestrians).
- Work Hazard: The majority of Working Pedestrian Fatalities in Work Zones were killed by motorist incursions (80%, 37 of 46 Working Pedestrians)
- Location: Few Pedestrian Fatalities in Work Zones occurred at/near intersections (15%, 18 of 122).
38% of Pedestrian Work Zone Fatalities occured while working.
Primary Activity of the 122 Pedestrian Work Zone Fatalities (2018)
87% of Working Pedestrians were engaged in Road Work, Utility Work, or Planning/Surveying.
Work Activity of the 46 Working Pedestrians in Work Zones (2018)
Road Work activities at the time of death include activities such as installing traffic signs, reopening a lane, flagging, picking up debris, replacing damaged concrete, paving operations, exiting a work vehicle, utility work, construction labor, DOT electrical work, DOT maintenance work, fence contracting, repairing guardrail, stringing cable guard rail, and repairing a bridge.