Nearly two-thirds (64%) of US construction companies undertaking highway upgrade projects reported that motor vehicles had crashed into their construction work zones during the past year.

That’s according to a new highway work zone study conducted by the Associated General Contractors of America and HCSS.

Nearly a quarter (24%) of respondents reported experiencing five or more crashes during the past 12 months. Among those who reported crashes, 29% experienced crashes that resulted in an injury to a construction worker, while 66% reported a crash in which drivers or passengers were injured.

Meanwhile, 9% of contractors reported that construction workers were killed in work zone crashes. Nearly a quarter (24%) reported drivers or passengers being killed.

The findings prompted association officials and construction workers to urge drivers to slow down this summer.

They also called on public officials to enhance work zone safety laws.

“Automated enforcement laws would go a long way in improving work zone safety, especially if the work zone is on the driver’s daily route,” said Steve McGough, president and CEO of HCSS. “It compels drivers to decrease their speed and pay closer attention to their surroundings.”

Jeffrey Shoaf, the associations chief executive officer added, “Bad driving behavior and lax work zone safety laws don’t just put construction workers at greater risk.

“Our new data shows that drivers and their passengers are in even greater danger from highway work zone crashes.”