NYCDOT is working on state legislation to intensify penalties against drivers who are convicted of either killing or injuring construction workers in work zones. The proposed bill is intended to serve as a deterrent to driving carelessly in a work zone.

Work Zone Facts at a Glance

The number of persons killed in motor vehicle crashes in work zones has risen from 989 in 2001 to 1,010 in 2006 (an average of 1,031 fatalities a year).  Eighty-five percent of those killed in a work zone are drivers or occupants. More than 40,000 people are injured each year as a result of motor vehicle crashes in work zones.

•  605 Crashes in NYS DOT work zones in 2005
•  17 Fatalities in NYS DOT work zones crashes in 2005
•  220 Injuries in NYS DOT work zone crashes in 2005
•  8 NYS DOT workers injured in work zones crashes in 2005
•  24 Average number of reported intrusions into work zones in New York City each year
•  In 2005, one of NYCDOT employees was killed when a driver invaded the work zone.
  
• Approximately 25% of the work zone accidents involved large trucks.

In addition:

• Approximately half of all fatal work zone crashes occurred during the day.
• More than two times as many fatal work zone crashes occurred on weekdays as on weekends.
• Fatal work zone crashes occurred most often in the summer and the fall.

 
Read more: http://www.nyc.gov/