Return of the Cone
As we see the return of warmer weather we will see all the things that come with it such as longer days, flowers blooming, and road work. We know Spring is in full swing when we start to see orange cones popping up along our roadways. As usual, safety is paramount. We cannot get so accustomed to construction zones along our routes that we lose sight of certain dangers that come with them. Your safety and the safety of every other driver as well as the road workers depends on our awareness and ability to navigate work zones without incident. Here are some tips for handling these situations:
- Slow down – This should be on the top of every safe driving list. The majority of all accidents are caused by excessive speed. The posted speed limit is for ideal conditions, not construction zones.
- Give yourself extra space – Many accidents in construction zones are rear-end crashes. Increase the distance between you and other vehicles and avoid pack driving to ensure yourself enough room in a sudden emergency.
- Merge properly – If you see that a lane is closing ahead, merge as soon as possible to prevent a frustrating lane change later. Often times, drivers force themselves into that situation and cause an accident because they want to make sure they stay in their lane as long as possible or because they are trying to avoid letting vehicles in front of them.
- Let them work- You should be traveling slow enough that you can read all the warning signs and also spot any workers. Be aware of workers’ presence on and off the side of the road. Be considerate and drive with their safety in mind.
- Be patient – All construction zones end eventually, so slow down, relax and get through the area as safely as possible. By exercising proper safety habits we can all make the roadways safer together.
