Work Zone Safety Tips

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Some tips to keep in mind when approaching and driving through roadway work zone areas include:

• When you see ORANGE warning signs along the highway, think safety and be alert. Orange signs, cones, and barrels alert you to work zones.

• Driving through a highway construction or maintenance work zone requires caution, concentration and common sense.

• Keep an eye out for the unexpected. Watch the road and not the work.

• Drive at the posted speed, which often has been decreased through the work zone. The penalty for speeding violations in a work zone is often twice the amount that would normally be assessed.

• Watch out for workers in these work areas.

• Do not change lanes or pass in work zones.

• Leave plenty of room between your car and the one in front of you. Unexpected stops frequently occur in work zones. Keep at least three seconds of travel time between you and the vehicle in front so you can react and stop in time.

• Slow down, pay attention and stay calm. Work zones are not intended to disrupt your schedule.

• Watch for flaggers at work zones and follow their instructions.

• Obey signs, channeling devices and pavement markings as soon as you can- they are intended to guide you through the work zone quickly and efficiently.

• When required, merge left or right as soon as possible. When vehicles move to the appropriate lane efficiently, traffic flow and posted speeds are usually maintained-and everyone's stress level is kept in check.

• Give full attention to the driving task. A roadway work zone is not the time to pick up and dial your cell phone, change the CD, or look at the map.

• Watch for construction vehicles moving in and out of work zones.

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