Impaired Drivers And The Risk Posed To Road Workers

Impaired drivers are a danger for anyone on the road, but they pose a considerable threat to road workers. Many of these workers find themselves on the roads at night when visibility may not be at its best.

This means they are at a much greater risk of being involved in an accident with an impaired driver than they would if they were working during the day. In addition, road workers face many other daily challenges that threaten their health and safety. That’s why we need to educate ourselves on the dangers of driving while impaired to keep everyone safe.

Construction Accidents

Whether work is being done on a road or close to a building, many types of accidents can occur on-site. Examples of these are the following:

• Falling debris
• Fires and explosions
• People being struck by objects
• Accidents caused by defective tools
• Vehicle collisions

To protect road workers, it is important to put the right safety protocols in place. It is the responsibility of the crew management company to implement these measures and create an environment that is as safe and risk-free as possible for road workers.

The Statistics

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), over 21 percent of work-related fatalities in 2016 involved construction workers. This statistic prompted new safety protocols to be implemented to keep workers safe. However, even with strict and updated guidelines, accidents still happen.

Risk Of Impaired Drivers

Night work can be beneficial for a number of reasons, including more comfortable temperatures, fewer cars on the road, and better schedules for workers. However, reduced traffic may also mean that the few drivers on the road end up speeding, and it is much more likely for impaired drivers to be driving at nighttime.

For these reasons, the risks to the safety and health of road workers increase during this time. Having a brightly lit work area, for example, may cause glare that can result in some drivers becoming disoriented. This is especially bad when they are already driving impaired. Driving impaired means driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol as well as driving while fatigued. When you are exhausted, your reaction time slows down, and if there is poor visibility on the road while you are driving, an accident is more likely to happen.

Avoiding Nighttime Accidents

To help combat these accidents, reflective clothing should be worn by road workers at all times. This type of clothing reflects light from the headlights of an oncoming car, and this helps considerably improve visibility at night. We also need to understand that driving while impaired is never a good idea and can result in serious injury and even death to those around us.

Who Is Liable?

Again, it is the company’s responsibility to ensure a safe environment for their workers no matter where they are. Steps need to be taken to reduce and prevent car accidents. Posting warning signs, keeping dangerous equipment out of the way and off the road, and creating detours can all go a long way in keeping everyone safe.

However, if an impaired driver ignores these warnings and hits a construction worker, they will be liable for the damages and injuries. This is also known as third-party liability. For example, if a driver was impaired and sped through the construction zone and caused an accident, they are responsible for any affected worker's medical bills and other damages.

If you are unsure who is liable for a recent accident you were involved in, don't hesitate to contact an experienced personal injury attorney to help you with your case.