ATLANTA – A new study ranks Georgia among the top five states where road works cause the highest proportion of fatal crashes.

Release:

• A new study has identified Georgia as the third state where road works cause the highest proportion of fatal crashes.
• The study analyzed NHTSA data on fatal motor vehicle crashes to see which happened in utility, construction and maintenance work zones.
• A law expert at Schmidt & Clark advice on what to do if you are involved in a car accident due to road works.

New research has revealed Georgia drivers are the third least safe when passing work zones, with the state’s road works having the third most devastating consequences in the US.

The study, conducted by leading law firm Schmidt & Clark, analyzed National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data on fatal motor vehicle crashes between 2017 and 2021 to determine where the deadliest utility, construction and maintenance work zones are.

Extra caution should always be taken around road works, as the narrowed lanes, congested traffic, and often a change in road conditions, such as uneven pavement, can mean accidents are more likely to occur. 

According to the findings, road works pose the third highest threat in Georgia. A staggering 210 of the 7,413 fatal crashes that occurred in the state during the five-year period, were found to involve work zones.

This equates to 2.83% of all fatal crashes in the state, which is 125% higher than the national average of 1.26%. 

Commenting on the findings, a spokesperson from Schmidt & Clark offers guidance on what to do if road works do cause you to crash:

“While the differences in fatal crashes involving work zones across states will reflect the drivers’ skills, such as if they are concentrating enough, the safety precautions implemented by workers will also be a factor in how likely a deadly accident is to happen. 

“Anything from negligent traffic control to confusing lane markings during construction and maintenance on the road can lead to serious or fatal injuries.

“If you are unfortunately in a car accident due to unsafe conditions caused by road works, it’s important you attain a lawyer as quick as possible to establish who is liable for failing to uphold public safety. 

“These cases can get complicated, as with many different parties involved, people tend to try to pass the blame. 

“You will also need to make it abundantly clear how you have been affected. For example, if the injury has impacted your ability to carry out your day-to-day tasks, or if the emotional distress has meant you’ve had to take a leave of absence from work. 

“This will give you the best possible chance at proving your case and receiving compensation.” 

Texas is the state with the highest proportion of fatal motor vehicle crashes involving road works, accounting for 582 out of 17,549 total fatal collisions between 2017 and 2021.

Approximately 3.32% of all fatal crashes here were found to involve work zones, which is more than double (163% higher) the national average. 

In second is Alaska, which recorded 10 fatal crashes that involved work zones, out of a total of 318, which equates to a rate of 3.14%. 

The states where road works cause the most fatal motor vehicle crashes 

Rank	State	Total number of fatal crashes involving work zones (2017-2021)	Total number of fatal crashes (2017-2021)	Percentage of all fatal crashes involving work zones
1.	Texas	582	17,549	3.32%
2.	Alaska	10	318	3.14%
3.	Georgia	210	7,413	2.83%
4.	Indiana	114	4,044	2.82%
5.	Wyoming	13	541	2.40%
6.	Iowa	34	1,544	2.20%
7.	Illinois	108	5,183	2.08%
8.	Minnesota	38	1,843	2.06%
9.	Alabama	86	4,333	1.98%
10.	Delaware	11	574	1.92%

At the other end of the scale, Maryland recorded zero fatal crashes involving work zones, despite 2,567 crashes recorded during the five-year period. 

Virginia had the second lowest figures, with just 3 out of 4,037 fatal crashes involving road works, the equivalent of just 0.07%.  

In third is Florida at a rate of 0.11%, where just 17 out of 15,342 deadly crashes involve work zones. 

The states where road works cause the least fatal motor vehicle crashes 

Rank	State	Total number of fatal crashes involving work zones (2017-2021)	Total number of fatal crashes (2017-2021)	Percentage of all fatal crashes involving work zones
1.	Maryland	0	2,567	0.00%
2.	Virginia	3	4,037	0.07%
3.	Florida	17	15,342	0.11%
4.	Nebraska	2	1,032	0.19%
5.	South Carolina	15	4,897	0.31%
6.	New Hampshire	2	526	0.38%
7.	Maine	3	719	0.42%
8. (=)	Wisconsin	12	2,746	0.44%
8. (=)	Mississippi	14	3,167	0.44%
9.	Arkansas	12	2,664	0.45%
10.	New York	24	4,785	0.50%