Put down the phone: More crashes along I-440 widening project in Raleigh, data shows
More crashes are occurring in construction zones, including near the widening of Interstate 440 between Wade Avenue and the U.S. Highway 1 interchange in Cary.
Data from the North Carolina Department of Transportation shows the number of crashes along the stretch of the I-440 Beltline between Wade Avenue and U.S. 1 is on the rise.
In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the stretch of road saw its fewest crashes, 230. Every year since, the number has steadily increased. In 2023, there were 309 crashes.
As a result, the NCDOT is urging drivers to put down their cell phones and pay attention.
"It’s a lot of traffic," said Andrew Roupas, who travels the route frequently. "Kind of fighting through it, navigating your way, is kind of a free for all."
Speed is just one factor in work zone crashes -- distracted driving is another.
Signs and concrete barriers line the construction zone to urge caution, but drivers like Roupas report seeing others on their phones.
"It’s definitely a little scary sometimes because, when you see them on their phones, you know all it can be is you taking a wrong turn and them not seeing you and hitting you," Roupas said. "It’s definitely become a problem in today’s culture for sure."
"Some people go faster than they should," said Steve Hook, another driver.
Last week, a driver rear-ended a dump truck, shutting down I-440 for several hours. In 2022, there was a 12-car pile near I-440 and Wade Avenue.
New data from the NCDOT shows crashes along the I-440 widening project are back to pre-pandemic numbers, with over 300 crashes in 2023.
However, not all those crashes occurred in construction zones, because those zones change throughout the life of the project.
"We would much rather [drivers] put the phone down and pay attention," said Cody Winkler, an engineer with the NCDOT. "Look at what’s going on, be aware of your surroundings and just get through the work zone safely.”
The I-440 widening project is a couple of years behind schedule because of the pandemic and supply chain issues, so workers and equipment will continue lining the road for months to come.
