Safety Tips for Driving Through Construction Zones
If you find yourself driving on highways or interstates while road construction is occurring, there’s a greater need for caution. The risk of auto accidents increases when construction workers, equipment, and vehicles are on or near the road.
Keep the following safe driving tips in mind the next time you start seeing construction signs.
How to Avoid an Auto Accident During Roadway Construction
Leave Room to Stop
Rear-end collisions occur in highway work zones frequently, as vehicles are more likely to follow one another too closely. To avoid setting off a rear-end chain reaction and a possible personal injury, leave extra braking distance between you and the car ahead of you.
Drive Slowly & Heed Signs
If you are driving 60 miles per hour, your vehicle is moving 88 feet per second. At that speed, it only takes 17 seconds to reach a roadwork site 1,500 feet away.
Follow signs and instructions to reduce your speed and heed construction warnings. This will give you more time to react, which lowers your risk of personal injury.
Change Lanes With the “Take 10” Technique
You may see signs that a lane is closed ahead or flashing arrows indicating the need to merge. Change lanes as soon as the flow of traffic allows, and don’t wait until the last moment to crowd in.
Instead, use the “take 10” technique, which means watching your mirrors and putting your turn signal on at least three seconds before starting to change lanes. While you continue checking the mirrors, use seven seconds or more to finish changing lanes. This keeps traffic flowing smoothly and safely and helps avoid auto accidents.
If you’ve been injured in an auto accident driving through a construction zone due to someone else’s negligence, seek help from The Law Offices of Gallner & Pattermann. Backed by more than 45 years of experience in helping injured individuals throughout the Council Bluffs, IA, and Omaha, NE, areas, these personal injury attorneys fight effectively for clients to obtain all the compensation available. For more about their services, visit their website.
To schedule a consultation with an attorney on their team, call (712) 323-0999.
