Distracted driving, inconsistent enforcement, and rising safety costs continue to make highway work zones more dangerous for both motorists and construction crews, according to the results of a new highway work zone study conducted by the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) and HCSS.
According to the survey results, 60 percent of contractors 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 found that drivers and passengers are significantly more likely to be injured or killed in work zone crashes than construction workers. Among contractors who experienced work zone crashes, 27 percent reported crashes that injured construction workers, while nearly three-fifths reported crashes that injured drivers or passengers. In addition, 22 percent of respondents who experienced a crash reported a driver or passenger fatality, compared to 7 percent who reported a construction worker fatality.
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.
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The survey also found growing frustration with work zone enforcement efforts. Nearly 40 percent of contractors said penalties for moving violations in work zones should be more severe, while 39 percent said current penalties are sufficient but are not being enforced enough. Only 29 percent of respondents believe current enforcement efforts are helping deter unsafe driving behavior in highway work zones.
Contractors are also facing increasing financial pressure related to maintaining work zone safety. More than one-third of respondents reported that rising material prices have affected their ability to purchase key safety equipment and materials such as barriers, signage, and protective devices.
Contractors identified increased law enforcement presence as the measure most likely to improve work zone safety. Seventy-nine percent of respondents said greater police presence near active work zones would help reduce crashes, while nearly three-quarters supported stricter enforcement of existing work zone traffic laws.
More than two-thirds of respondents also supported stricter distracted driving laws targeting phone usage in work zones, and a majority supported automated speed enforcement measures.
“Better training, stronger enforcement, and improved public policies can help reduce crashes, but motorists ultimately bear the responsibility for slowing down and staying alert in work zones,” said Jeffrey D. Shoaf, AGC’s Chief Executive Officer.
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AGC and HCSS released a new video urging drivers to slow down, avoid distractions, and stay alert in work zones during the busy summer driving season.
The work zone safety study was based on a nationwide survey of highway construction firms in spring 2026. More than 700 contractors completed the survey. View complete survey results at agc.org/2026-agc-hcss-highway-work-zone-safety-survey.
