Officials Make Changes To Reduce Road Work Zone Accidents In Maryland
Road crews are among the most at-risk workers and face serious hazards on the job. Whether working on construction projects, making repairs, or performing routine maintenance tasks, in addition to the inherent danger of their jobs, they often have to deal with motorists driving by at high rates of speed. In the aftermath of a recent fatal road work zone accident in Maryland that claimed the lives of six people, our Maryland car accident attorney explains how state officials are making changes to increase safety.
Fatal Maryland Road Work Accident Claims Lives of Six People
Car accidents are a leading cause of death and personal injuries. While reckless driving is generally to blame, driving through road construction areas is one of the contributing factors that can make a crash more likely to occur.
A devastating fatal Maryland car accident on I-695 in March 2023 emphasizes the potential risks. CBS News reported that it happened while a driver attempted a lane change at a high rate of speed. The road was undergoing construction at the time, and the driver, who was estimated to be traveling more than 110 miles per hour, crashed directly into the work area.
Sadly, six construction workers lost their lives as a result. The driver faces more than 28 different criminal charges in the case, including six counts of felony negligent manslaughter by vehicle and six counts of death of a vulnerable person, along with numerous traffic violations. The driver they attempted to pass, who was also traveling at high rates of speed, faces criminal charges as well for their role in contributing to the fatal accident.
Making Changes To Increase Road Work Zone Safety
In the aftermath of the tragic I-695 car accident in Maryland, state officials began looking at making changes to increase the safety of everyone on the road. Motor vehicle drivers traveling through road work zones and workers performing various tasks, such as road construction, power line repairs, improving drainage, and landscape trimming, all face increased injury risks.
In conjunction with state legislators, the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) identified improvements that could increase road work zone safety. These include:
- Increasing the presence of law enforcement in work zones to discourage speeding and other dangerous driving behavior;
- Investing money in new educational campaigns and public awareness initiatives;
- Increasing inspections and training at worksites to ensure safety protocols are followed;
- Increasing fines for traffic infractions in work zones and penalties for when accidents happen.
Contact Our Maryland Car Accident Attorneys To Request A Consultation
Car accidents in Maryland pose serious risks for motorists and road workers. Personal injuries suffered have the potential to be severe and life-threatening. If you or someone you love is hurt, get the caring support and professional legal representation you need at Berman | Sobin | Gross LLP. Call or contact us online to request a consultation with our Maryland car accident attorneys today.
Sources:
cbsnews.com/baltimore/news/woman-charged-in-i-695-crash-that-killed-six-construction-workers-turns-herself-in/
roads.maryland.gov/mdotsha/pages/Index.aspx?PageId=19
