Work zones have had more car crashes in the past year, and that’s putting lives at risk, according to a recent survey from the Associated General Contractors (AGC) of America and construction software company HCSS.

More than half of contractors (60%) reported at least one crash involving a moving vehicle in their highway work zones during the past year, while nearly one-third reported experiencing five or more crashes.

The survey, which was conducted this spring and completed by over 700 contractors, found that drivers and passengers are significantly more likely to be injured or killed in work zone crashes than construction workers, due largely in part to distracted driving, inconsistent enforcement and rising safety costs.

Among contractors who experienced work zone crashes, nearly 60% reported crashes that injured drivers or passengers, and 27% reported crashes that injured construction workers. Furthermore, 22% of respondents who experienced a crash reported a driver or passenger fatality, and 7% reported a construction worker fatality.

“Summer construction season means more crews working just feet away from fast-moving traffic,” said Jeffrey D. Shoaf, CEO of AGC of America, in a statement. “Too many drivers continue to speed, use their phones, or simply fail to pay attention in work zones, putting construction workers and motorists alike at serious risk.

Other findings from the recent survey:

• Contractors also reported that work zone crashes are increasingly disrupting project schedules and operations. More than half of respondents said crashes had delayed projects, with many reporting delays lasting multiple days.
• More than half of contractors said highway work zone crashes pose a greater risk today than they did one year ago, while another 45 percent said the risk has remained about the same. Only 4 percent said work zone crash risks have declined over the past year.
• Respondents have mixed feelings about current enforcement efforts. Nearly 40% of contractors said penalties for moving violations in work zones should be more severe, while 39% said current penalties are sufficient but are not being enforced enough. Only 29% said current enforcement efforts are helping deter unsafe driving behavior in highway work zones.
• A majority of respondents (79%) said greater police presence near active work zones would help reduce crashes, while nearly 75% supported stricter enforcement of existing work zone traffic laws. More than 66% also supported stricter distracted driving laws targeting phone usage in work zones, and a majority supported automated speed enforcement measures.
• More than 33% of contractors reported that rising material prices have affected their ability to purchase key safety equipment and materials such as barriers, signage and protective devices.

The AGC of America is urging Congress to incorporate meaningful new highway work zone safety requirements (e.g., provisions that encourage states to develop comprehensive work zone safety plans and strengthen enforcement and crash data collection efforts) in its next federal highway and transit reauthorization bill, due by the end of the government’s fiscal year in September.

“Work zone safety must continue to be a focus for our industry,” said Steve McGough, president and CEO of HCSS, in a statement. “Reducing deaths and serious injuries in work zones will require better awareness, stronger enforcement, and a shared commitment to safer driving behavior.”

Full survey results, which are broken down by region and select states, can be found here.