PORTLAND and VANCOUVER — After work zone fatalities in Washington state doubled in 2023 from the previous year, state agencies from both sides of the Columbia River are coming together to revitalize their focus on driver safety in and around work zones. The Oregon Department of Transportation and the Washington State Department of Transportation gathered state leaders, law enforcement officials and workers struck by drivers in work zones to ask the public to drive more carefully and attentively. A work zone is typically characterized as an area where road crews are present and active. Road signs alert drivers that they are approaching an active work zone. Along with state employees, roadside workers also include local city or county road crews, tow truck drivers, contractors, emergency responders, and law enforcement officers. All roadside workers are spouses, partners, parents, children, siblings or friends to someone – and they all deserve to get home safely at the end of their shift. It is not just road crews at risk in work zones: Nearly 95% of people injured in work zone crashes are drivers, their passengers or nearby pedestrians. It is in everyone’s interest to pay attention and drive safely in work zones. Causes of crashes in the work zone are often attributed to following too closely, excessive speed, and inattentive or distracted driving. All are preventable. Oregon work zone crash data – Reported work zone incidents on state highways in 2022: 358 crashes in a work zone. 226 non-fatal injury crashes in work zones. 34 serious injury crashes in work zones. 7 fatalities from crashes in work zones. Reported work zone incidents on state highways in 2021: 314 crashes in a work zone. 173 non-fatal injury crashes in work zones. 15 serious injury crashes in work zones. 4 fatalities from crashes in work zones.
