Yesterday was a frustrating morning for drivers on westbound I-82 near Yakima after two separate crashes happened in the same construction zone in less than an hour.
Luckily, no serious injuries were reported, and the road crew working in the area was not hurt.
The Washington State Patrol reported the second collision happened in the Washington State Department of Transportation work zone near milepost 39, near the first crash.
Even though there were no injuries, two crashes in such a short period of time show just how quickly work zones can become dangerous.
Construction Zones Leave Little Room for Error
Work zones naturally create changing traffic patterns, reduced speeds, and tighter driving conditions. It only takes one distracted driver or someone following too closely for a crash to happen under those conditions.
The fact that two separate collisions happened within an hour or eachother shows how important it is to stay focused around road construction.
While crews escaped injury this time, highway workers really only have a little protection from vehicles traveling just a few feet away.
Washington State Troopers are Asking Drivers to Slow Down
After the pair of workzone crashes, the Washington State Patrol asked drivers to slow down, stay alert, and leave extra following distance when driving through construction areas.
Those simple reminders may sound familiar, but they’re also some of the biggest factors in preventing work zone crashes.
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