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Stronger Penalties Proposed For Work Zone Violators

The 10th Annual National Work Zone Awareness Week consisted of the announcement by the New York City Department of Transportation of proposed stronger penalties for motorists that violate work zones. Over 1,000 work zone fatalities occur each year because motorists do not proceed with caution while driving through a construction zone. This awareness week is celebrated across the country each year to emphasize the importance of safety in work zones not only in New York but also around the country. Aside from the 1,000 fatalities that happen each year, close to 40,000 people are injured each year as a result of work zone accidents as well. These injuries are suffered by construction workers and motorists alike.

New York state saw 11 construction workers die in 2007 because of unsafe construction zone conditions and close to 15 percent of work zone fatalities in that year were workers that were working on active construction zones. Legislation has been introduced in the state of New York for the creation of new laws that would create the crimes of vehicular assault and vehicular manslaughter in the first and second degrees in active work zones. The third brand new law that would be created is intrusion into an active work zone and offenders would be subject to a fine of $250-$500 or a sentence of three months in jail. The legislation has been created in the memory of Assistant Highway City Repairman named Nicholas Antico who was killed in 2005 when he was struck by a drunk driver in a closed work zone during a paving project. If you or a loved one has been injured in a construction accident contact the law firm of Kleinick Law for expert legal counsel regarding your case today.