If you live in or around the Atlanta area, there’s no way of avoiding construction on the local roads. Even the best laid plans can result in you driving directly into a work zone.
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration (FHA), work zone accidents over the past five years have resulted in 4,400 deaths and 200,000 injuries.
Here are three important safety tips to follow when driving in a work zone:
- Beware of other vehicles. You may be doing everything right, but not every driver is taking the same approach. For example, truckers often speed through work zones if they’re in a hurry to reach their destination.
- Follow the signs. Work zones are typically accompanied by a variety of signs. In addition to speed limit signs, pay close attention to those warning you of what’s ahead, such as flaggers or workers.
- Leave more space. Even when traffic slows in a work zone, you shouldn’t drive too closely to the vehicle in front of yours. The more space you leave, the easier it is to stop suddenly. Also, if you’re hit from behind, there’s less chance that you’ll be pushed into another vehicle.
Driving in a work zone is both frustrating and dangerous. Even if you follow these safety tips, another driver could cause an accident that results in injuries.
If you’re injured in a motor vehicle accident, move to safety and call 911. Your health is your top priority, but when time allows, you should take steps to protect your legal rights and receive compensation from the negligent party.
