Recent news articles reporting statistics on road worker fatalities have sparked concern and renewed efforts to enhance safety measures on our roads as seen in the U.S. Sun article highlighting a new “Move Over or Slow Down” law in Texas, and ABC News 10 (WHEC-TV) reporting on a New York Thruway worker struck on I-90.
According to data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation, total Work Zone traffic fatalities in 2022 were 891. Pedestrian fatalities accounted for 136 of these. Pedestrians are identified in FARS as being at work or a construction, maintenance, utility worker, or a transportation worker (e.g., maintenance workers, safety service patrol operators).
In light of these alarming figures, TrafFix Devices reaffirms its commitment to protecting road workers and reducing risks through innovative solutions like the Scorpion truck-mounted attenuator (TMA/TTMA).
Understanding the Risks Faced by Road Workers
The nature of road work exposes workers to a myriad of hazards, including oncoming traffic, distracted drivers, and unpredictable weather conditions. Despite stringent safety protocols and regulations, incidents involving roadside workers continue to occur at an alarming rate. These incidents not only result in injuries and fatalities but also disrupt project timelines and impact the overall safety of our transportation infrastructure.
Seeking first to save lives through attenuation technology, and through the ease of installation and deployment to reduce worker exposure times, TrafFix Devices has road crews and our installations partners safety at front of mind. The Delta Intelligent Crash Cushion can be installed within an hour and returned to service from full capacity impact in 15 minutes, reducing exposure time; and the Scorpion line of Truck Mounted Attenuators (TMA) and Towable Attenuators (TA) protect work zones from distracted drivers and other errant vehicles.
The Role of Attenuators in Mitigating Risk
Attenuators, such as TrafFix Devices’ Scorpion, play a crucial role in mitigating risks and protecting road workers in high-risk environments. The Scorpion attenuator is designed to absorb and dissipate energy during collisions, reducing the impact force on vehicles and minimizing the severity of accidents. Its durable construction and innovative design make it a trusted choice for enhancing work zone safety and safeguarding workers on the front lines.
Real-World Impact
Since 2020 we have seen a slight decline in fatal worker injuries at work construction sites, there has been a steady increase in the percentage of Highway worker fatalities involving workers on foot being struck by a vehicle since 2015.
Source https://workzonesafety.org/work-zone-data/worker-fatalities-and-injuries-at-road-construction-sites/
Advancing Safety Through Innovation
Beyond attenuators, TrafFix Devices continues to innovate and develop cutting-edge solutions that address evolving safety challenges on our roads. Each product is designed with one goal in mind: to protect and empower road workers. Through ongoing research, development, and collaboration with industry stakeholders, TrafFix Devices remains at the forefront of road safety innovation.
A Call to Action for Safer Roads
The statistics on road worker fatalities serve as a sobering reminder of the urgent need for collective action to improve driver awareness and safety in work zones. Together, we can create safer roadways that benefits workers, motorists, and communities alike.