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Highway work zone deaths jump 75% in a year in one US state
21 November 2024
According to data from the US State of Colorado鈥檚 Department of Transportation (CDOT), , deaths in roadway construction sites are up 75% this year compared to last, but why?
A Colorado highway in foreground with the Rocky Mountains in background. (Image: Adobe Stock)
No definite, tangible answer has yet to emerge, but to the federal government addressing the issue while shifting some blame on CDOT.
Referring to an unnamed contractor who met with 鈥渕embers of Congress鈥� and 鈥渕embers from Colorado鈥檚 General Assembly鈥�, the letter stated the contractor 鈥渟hared CDOT鈥檚 safety plan and documents illustrating that CDOT withheld traffic flow plans from contractors, started new construction zones without the signature signoff of the onsite design professional engineers and improperly used safety equipment.鈥�
shows that (with a little more than one month remaining in the year) there have been 28 recorded deaths on Colorado roadways in 2024. That鈥檚 12 more (or 75% higher) than 2023. In 2022, ten fatalities were reported in roadworks construction zones.
Despite the increase in fatalities, CDOT鈥檚 data shows crashes are down overall by 34%.
the rise in deaths coincided with a period of record construction. Colorado, too, ranks among the fastest growing states by population in the country.
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