No matter the time of year, it seems construction is taking place everywhere in middle Tennessee. Many folks are moving to the area, so it appears the construction may not be coming to an end anytime soon. Regardless of your driving experience, it’s important to make sure you, your passengers, and the road construction workers stay safe.
Tip One: Be Patient
This seems obvious BUT construction zones can really bring out the road rage in people. Therefore it helps to stay patient while driving through these zones and know that the staff is working extremely hard to finish each project as quickly as possible. Road rage will NOT speed up traffic.
Tip Two: Comply with Directions
Do you find yourself ignoring a flagger’s directions? You might want to reconsider this, as paying close attention to the construction worker guiding traffic will help avoid potential auto accidents. The flagger has equal authority as a regulatory sign, so you can be ticketed for disobeying their directions.
Tip Three: Be Alert
You never know the events that can occur while navigating through a construction zone. There are almost always orange warning signs that appear before entering a work zone, so it’s important to be on the lookout for these signs. There are also workers scattered around everywhere, so it’s necessary to be on high alert for them so nobody gets hurt. Turn down the radio, pause your conversation, whatever it takes to give the road and the construction your FULL attention.
If you or someone you know has suffered terrible injuries from a construction zone accident, please give us a call today, we are ready to give you the help you deserve.
Tip Four: Expect the Unexpected
Be prepared to expect the unexpected when cruising through a construction work zone. The speed limits fluctuate, traffic signs change, the work staff is surrounding the zone, and there’s vehicles all around. These areas are congested with people, vehicles and equipment...ANYTHING can happen!
Tip Five: Avoid Distractions
No matter what distractions are happening inside or outside your vehicle, it’s absolutely necessary to pay attention to your surroundings. To prevent tragic accidents, avoid simple distractions, such as picking up your phone, turning the volume up, adjusting the temperature, and staring at other objects outside your car.
Tip Six: Drive Slow with Caution
Again, possibly a no-brainer but remember to always drive extra slow with caution during construction zones. There are workers everywhere, so it helps to drive slow so everyone can make it home safe.
Tip Seven: Obey the Warning Signs
Be on the lookout for warning signs, as they sometimes are constantly changing while driving through a lengthy work construction zone. Make sure to pay close attention to speed limit signs to avoid getting ticketed for speeding by a nearby police officer, because the fine is very expensive and often doubled in a work zone.
Tip Eight: Keep your Distance
The traffic is extremely slow and drivers tend to stop and start quite often. It’s important to make sure to keep your distance from nearby cars to avoid rear-end accidents. Tailgating will not get you through the congestion any faster and it may result in a rear-end collision. Give yourself plenty of room to brake.
Tip Nine: Expect Delays
It’s no question that traffic moves a lot slower in construction zones. You may want to leave a little earlier or find a different route to take if you know there’s construction up ahead. Some navigation apps will let you opt to avoid construction zones altogether.
Construction work zones can be dangerous if you’re not taking proper precautions. If you or someone you know has experienced injuries in a work zone, our team of experts can answer all of your questions for FREE and help you get the compensation you deserve.
