Driving safely and cautiously can save the lives of many people. According to the Federal Highway Administration, more than 4,000 people have died in work zone accidents in the last five years, and more than 200,000 people were injured. Here in Denton, road construction seems never-ending. Between regular road maintenance throughout the town, the widening of US 380, and the major thirty-mile long project taking place on I35 E until mid-2017, there are many opportunities for accidents to occur. Luckily, there are several easy things that can be done to help keep you and other drivers safe while driving through Texas’ abundant construction zones. Here are a few things to keep in mind.
Construction Zone Safe Driving Tips
Stay Alert
Rule number one is staying alert. Whether you are driving a long or short distance, you need to remain alert at all times and minimize as many distractions as possible. Cell phones should be put on silent while operating a vehicle and music should not be blaring while driving through construction zones. Construction workers, other drivers and the road need your undivided attention.
Keep Your Eyes on the Road
Your eyes need to remain on the road at all times. Although construction zones can be loud and distracting, pay attention for sights and sounds that may indicate issues or problems are taking place nearby. Pay attention to other drivers. Keep an eye on the brake lights of other vehicles and watch traffic patterns. A lot of the time, other drivers will let you know if you need to change lanes in order to get around the construction zone. Most of the time there are road signs that will tell you construction work is in progress in which lane you need to be in. Merge into the proper lane in a timely manner and allow other drivers to merge into the correct lane so the flow of traffic continues to move. Avoid tailgating other drivers. You need to be at least three to four car lengths behind the vehicle in front of you. Drivers may suddenly brake, causing you to react quickly. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.
Expect the Unexpected
Driving through construction zones is hazardous for many different reasons. The best way to be prepared is to expect the unexpected. Drivers may enter your lane without warning and they may stop or change lanes without using their turn signals. Although you cannot prevent poor actions from other drivers, you need to remain a safe distance and expect chaos to ensure your safety.
Respect Flaggers and Workers
Always respect flaggers and construction workers. Flaggers tell you where you need to be to safely avoid the construction area. They will let you know whether you need to stop, slow down or whether you can continue driving.
These are just a few things you need to keep in mind when you are traveling through construction sites, whether you are on the highway or driving through a neighborhood. For added security and safety, make sure you have good insurance. Ramey King Insurance provides auto insurance throughout the state of Texas and offers many beneficial coverage options that include medial injury protection, bodily injury liability, collision and comprehensive, property damage, uninsured motorists and a lot more. Make sure you have adequate coverage before it’s too late.
