State releases new data showing improved work-zone safety

The family of one of the six construction workers struck and killed in a 2023 Beltway crash issued a call to action to prevent another work-zone death.Maryland state transportation officials on Tuesday released new data about whether safety efforts are working, saying the numbers of citations and crashes in work zones have decreased.But they said some drivers still risk their lives and those working on the roads.Last year, upwards of a dozen drivers were caught driving more than 130 mph in work zones. As of Tuesday, Maryland has already seen more than 200 work-zone crashes and two people have been killed so far this year."We are not just workers. We are people, real people. We are parents, siblings, friends and neighbors," said Dawn Hopkins, a Maryland safety professional with Flagger Force.James DiMaggio said he knows the reality of the numbers all too well. His sister, Sybil DiMaggio, was one of the six construction workers killed in 2023 after two speeding drivers collided and struck a construction crew on the Beltway."When she was killed in that car accident, you took a mother, a sister, a friend, a daughter," DiMaggio said. "I don't feel like anybody slows down still. I don't think anybody realizes what can happen."State leadership on Tuesday joined a work crew at a construction site to recognize Work Zone Awareness Week and release new data. Last year in Maryland, there were 1,148 work-zone crashes that caused nine deaths and 449 injuries, according to the Maryland State Highway Administration. There were 19 citations issued to drivers who were traveling at over 130 mph in a work zone."Let me repeat that, 130 mph — that's a death wish," SHA Administrator William Pines said.The state's deadliest work-zone crash is what led to a tiered fine structure for automated speed enforcement. The faster the speed, the higher the fine, especially if workers are present.12-15 mph over the speed limit: $40 fine16-19 mph over the speed limit: $70 fine20-29 mph over the speed limit: $120 fine30-39 mph over the limit: $230 fine40 mph over the limit: $425 fineDriving 30 mph or more over the speed limit is classified as reckless driving under the new law.WBAL-TV 11 News Investigates examined whether the penalties are enough to slow drivers down. SHA officials pointed to a 12% decrease in work-zone crashes in 2025 and a 17% drop in citations, and Pines said people are paying the citations."We've had more cameras deployed, but fewer citations issued. That is a reflection that the majority of people are getting it and are slowing down in our work sites," Pines said.Despite hints of progress, DiMaggio remains concerned as he continues to closely follow his sister's case. Melachi Brown, one of the drivers convicted in the crash, is back in court after he was caught driving, which is a violation of his probation."I often wonder how they would feel if it was their loved one," DiMaggio said.Brown is scheduled to have a jury trial next month.A unity ride procession is planned Wednesday for anyone who has lost their lives in work-zone crashes. A moment of silence is scheduled for noon Friday.