Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and Construction Zone Accidents in Indiana

The new infrastructure bill will fund major road construction projects throughout Indiana and the country. The highway construction activity very likely will lead to more construction zone accidents.

In the long run, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) will provide a host of new roadway safety provisions that many predict will open a new chapter in reducing traffic fatalities. The act includes provisions for automated traffic enforcement systems and other safety features in roadway work zones.

But these technological safety innovations will take time to develop and implement, and shovel-ready road construction projects will proceed long before them. As experienced truck accident lawyers, the attorneys at Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC know the dangers posed by highway work zones and the harm caused when negligent drivers fail to pay attention to traffic changes in work zones.

How the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Will Impact Indiana

The Indianapolis Star calculates the Infrastructure bill will send $7 billion in new highway funding to Indiana. That represents a 30% increase over current federal funding for the repair and rebuilding of highways and bridges.

Indiana already has five big interstate highway projects on tap in the next few years. This includes completing I-69 between Evansville and Indianapolis, as well as:

• Rebuilding the I-65/I-70 interchange on the northeast side of downtown Indianapolis
• Installing traffic signals on entrance ramps and electronic speed limit signs along the highway from the I-65 interchange on the south side of Indianapolis to the I-70 interchange on the east side
• Adding lanes to the northeast portion of I-465 and rebuilding its interchange with I-69
• Improving an 8-mile stretch of the northwest portion of I-465 from 86th Street to North Meridian Street, or US-31, in Indianapolis

These projects include building dozens of bridges to complete I-69 and rebuilding many more. There are dozens more transportation and infrastructure projects that were planned across Indiana prior to the passage of the infrastructure bill.

Accident Hazards Posed by Highway Work Zones

Highway work zones create bottlenecks, lane mergers, and stop-and-go traffic. A highway construction zone requires drivers to reduce their vehicle speed and remain alert for slowed traffic ahead. In some cases, work zones alter traffic patterns. Drivers must change lanes or merge with other traffic. Typically, there are lighted caution signs or flaggers to direct traffic.

Highway work zone accidents occur when drivers fail to slow down, follow other vehicles too closely, drive distracted or drive while impaired by alcohol, drugs, or fatigue.

The National Work Zone Safety Clearinghouse says commercial buses, tractor-trailers, and other commercial trucks are involved in more than 30% of fatal work zone crashes on urban interstates and more than 50% of fatal work zone crashes on rural interstates. Large trucks require more distance than cars to stop safely. Traffic can back up suddenly in work zones. If a truck driver is following too closely or driving too fast, the trucker may be unable to avoid causing an accident.

The Clearinghouse says there were 762 fatal crashes in highway work zones across the U.S. in 2019, of which 247 (32.4%) involved trucks and three involved buses. There were 25 fatal work zone crashes in Indiana in 2019, of which 11 (44%) involved trucks.

Passenger car drivers who are inattentive, speeding, impaired, or otherwise negligent are also likely to make errors that can lead to collisions in work zones.

How to Avoid Accidents in Construction Zones

With the expected increase in road construction activity in the years ahead, Indiana drivers need to remain alert for highway work zones. They should expect traffic to slow and back up when approaching work zones. Trucks and buses have limited maneuverability and large blind spots. That makes navigating work zones more challenging for truck drivers and bus drivers.

When possible, drivers should avoid work zones and use any detours that are available.

If avoiding a work zone is not practical, drivers should use extra caution when transiting construction zones especially during the weekday morning and afternoon rush hours and when visibility is reduced by adverse weather conditions.

Drivers should pay attention to warnings and directional signs ahead of work zones and reduce their speed and move into open lanes as soon as it is safe after being directed to merge. Truck drivers should brake and move to the right-hand lane for slower traffic as soon as possible when encountering work zone warnings.

When lanes are reduced ahead of a work zone, some drivers will wait as long as possible before moving out of the lane that is closing. Truckers anxious to meet a delivery deadline may try to get ahead in traffic. This adds to backups and increases the risk of crashes as vehicles attempt to merge.

Passenger car drivers should avoid driving in a truck’s blind spots. Move away from trucks attempting to merge, if possible, and never cut in front of large trucks in traffic.

Rear-end crashes are extremely common in work zones. Maintain extra space between your vehicle and the one in front of you when passing through a construction zone.

Contact Us About a Work Zone Accident in Indiana

If you have been in an accident in a highway construction zone in Indiana, the truck accident lawyers at Craig, Kelley & Faultless can investigate to determine what happened and who may be financially responsible for your losses. We handle accident claims on a contingency fee basis. We only charge a legal fee if we recover compensation for you.

Contact our work zone accident attorneys at (888) 937-3862 or online for a free consultation about your accident. If you are unable to come to us, we will come to you or meet with you virtually.