Distracted driving is swiftly becoming one of the most common reasons behind motor vehicle accidents, regardless of whether drivers are distracted by their phones, conversations or passengers. A tragic and unfortunately growing category of victims of distracted driving in Kentucky are construction workers injured or killed in construction zones. Following a report from the Kentucky Press News Service, the Lexington Herald Leader released an article in 2018 highlighting the importance of drivers paying attention in work zones, slowing down considerably and waiting for instructions from flaggers. Taking extra care while driving when construction workers are in the road or operating large machinery is a good way to ensure safety on the road.
A study published in the Journal of Advanced Transportation in 2017 found that changing light conditions can greatly affect the rates and types of construction zone accidents. Different study models showed that injury rates in head-on collisions could reach 100% likelihood in the dark on narrow roads, while daytime head-on collisions face a 59.7% higher chance of a crash involving injuries. With so many narrow country roads winding through Kentucky, it is important that drivers remain aware of potential hazards and work zones that could be around a bend in the road.
The researchers of this study also found that alcohol and drugs contributed to a much higher likelihood of injury collisions in construction zones, especially at night and even at speeds under 40mph. Unlit stretches of road can be especially treacherous. Drivers ought to know not to consume alcohol or drugs before getting behind the wheel, due to the associated dangers to themselves and workers on the road.
