It’s definitely summer now! Think about road work if you’re planning a trip to the beach or the mountains this summer. These tips will help you and the workers around you stay safe in any construction zone you may be going through.

Distraction Limit

Being fully focused on the road is the first and most important thing you should do when entering, moving through, or leaving a construction zone. At this point, you might want to stop the call, turn down or off the radio, and put down the snack. Ensure you stay away from anything that might interfere with your focus.

Turn On The Headlights

To avoid losing your temper, remember to turn on your headlights, even during the day. In addition to making you safer, this extra step helps other drivers and people working on the road see you. A higher profile is always a good thing.

Watch Road Signs 

When there are building signs, it’s important to read them and follow them. The road signs will usually let you know ahead of time about any changes to the way traffic flows in work zones. Sometimes, there are lane closures or traffic is stopped, made narrower, or moved. 

Depending on where you are and the type of work zone, there are also different speed limits. Remember that traffic patterns can change every day, so keep an eye out for new road signs that will help you and your car get through the same construction zone on your way to or from work. 

Two-Second Rule

Avoid hitting the car in front of you. Leave a lot of room. This is a good rule of thumb: drivers should stay at least two seconds behind the car in front of them. To be safer, you could leave even more room between your car and the one in front of you if you find yourself in a construction zone that is very busy or hard to understand.  

Find Out More Before You Go

Before you hit the road, you can call 5-1-1 to see if any roads are closed or delayed because of bad weather or work. 

For traffic news, road closures, and schedules, you can also check your neighborhood TV and radio stations. Also, most GPS devices now show you any accidents, delays, or construction zones that are on your path. 

Plan for the Delay 

When you know you’ll be going through a construction zone, give yourself extra time to get where you need to go.

 Don’t hurry through a building area. You are not only putting your life and the lives of the people working around you at risk but you could also get fined a lot or even go to jail. It is better to leave early and have more time. 

Keeping Flaggers Safe

If one or more lanes are temporarily closed or changed, a flagger (or road construction worker) can stop traffic and direct it with signs or just their hands. Pay close attention to what the flagger says because sometimes they may be telling you something different from what the road signs say.