Danger, You're Entering A Construction Zone

In 2008, 720 motorists and workers were killed in construction zones. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) also reports that 40,000 people are injured each year as a result of work zone crashes, and that the vast majority of them are drivers and occupants.

What's the best rule of thumb to keep safe in a work zone? Give the road your undivided attention.

To make construction zones safer for everyone, the NHTSA also suggests that you:

• Maintain the posted speed limit. If safety alone is not enough of a motivating factor, consider that many states have doubled the fines for speeding in construction zones.
• Obey road crew flaggers. The flagger has the same authority as a regulatory sign, so you could be cited for failing to obey their directions.
• Concentrate on the road and not on the construction. Construction zones are full of unusual activity. Don't get distracted.
• Maintain a safe distance from the car in front of you and do not tailgate. Rear-end collisions are the most common type of crash in a construction zone.
• Allow extra time to arrive at your destination.
• In short, stay calm and focused. Put away your phone, don’t even think about texting, and give the road your undivided attention.

For more tips, check out workzonesafety.org.

Road Debris Causes Accidents, Deaths

Debris from a construction project can make driving through a work zone even more dangerous. Road debris causes at least 25,000 wrecks annually, averaging about 68 accidents per day, and more than 80 deaths per year.

The most common forms of debris are tire treads, garbage dropped by waste haulers, auto parts, and construction materials. While road debris accounts for less than 1 percent of all traffic accidents, it is a growing problem which is largely preventable.

The Federal Highway Administration recommends safeguarding yourself and others by following these simple steps:

1. Secure all loads, and check load status from time to time.
2. If driving behind a vehicle with an unstable load, drop back or move into another lane.
3. Always be aware of what options you have should debris fall onto the road. In some cases, it may be safer to drive over small debris than to swerve around it.