With the arrival of summer comes road construction as well as higher rates of traffic as vacationers buckle up and hit the roads. Before setting out on your road trip, review these safety tips to keep you, your friends and family, and the construction workers improving our roads, safe this summer.
• Increase following distance. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, rear-end crashes are the most common type of work zone crash. Increasing your following distance from the vehicle in front of you will help reduce this hazard.
• Reduce speed and be prepared to stop. Be aware of construction zone speed limits. Construction zones often have uneven surfaces, narrowed lanes, irregular traffic patterns, and pedestrians working. Reduce your speed to safely navigate the construction zone.
• Pay attention to the signs. This will help you prepare for what conditions may lie ahead, notifying you of uneven roadways, one-way traffic, flaggers, unexpected detours, and irregular traffic patterns.
• Merge as soon as safely possible. If you are notified of a lane closing ahead, do not wait until the lane ends before merging into the lane of travel; merge early when you first see the lane closure warning sign.
• Obey flagger’s instructions. Construction zones often require traffic to flow in irregular patterns. Always pay attention to and obey the flagger’s instructions in a construction zone.
• Stay focused and alert. As the driver, it is critical that you avoid all distractions such as your cell phone, radio, GPS, and anything that would take your focus off the roadway, especially in a construction zone where conditions vary.