Road work is a common sight throughout Indiana during the spring and summer months. Some projects occur with little advance planning due to frost heave and potholes. Other projects may be years in the making. Construction crews may completely repave sections of the road or expand the highway to include a full-size shoulder or additional lanes.
Road work and maintenance can cause a variety of challenges for drivers. Ideally, motorists will understand that road work is necessary and adjust their routes accordingly. Most drivers can bypass large projects if they are aware of them before they hit the road. Others may encounter unexpected construction during their daily commutes. Those who cannot bypass work zones on public roads may want to embrace the three safety tips outlined below so that they can navigate the work zone safely.
Follow signs and merge into open lanes
Road work often restricts the flow of traffic to one lane. Motorists need to pay attention to signage and appropriately zipper merge when necessary due to lane closures ahead. They also must pay attention to any police officers or road work professionals directing traffic.
Slow down near work zones
Typically, there are signs advising drivers of lower speed limits near road work zones. Despite the lower speed limit and the possibility of increased penalties for citations issued in work zones, many drivers do not follow lower speed limits when approaching road work. They may then have difficulty slowing down and stopping in time when they encounter other vehicles. They could also be at risk of losing control of their vehicles because of debris in the road that affects their traction. Slower speeds make it easier to stop and maintain control of a vehicle.
Give others plenty of space
Work zone collision statistics show that many of these crashes are rear-end wrecks. Drivers get too close to one another and then cannot stop when another vehicle does. The temptation to handle a cell phone while driving at slower speeds in a work zone may only worsen this risk. Drivers should avoid letting themselves become distracted while navigating a work zone.
Should a motor vehicle collision occur, injured parties may have grounds to hold the driver who caused the crash accountable. Documenting how others failed to adjust their conduct for traffic conditions could help pursue compensation after a car wreck.
