City and residential streets, highways and bridges have to be maintained to keep drivers and pedestrians safe. Because of this, roadway construction goes on year-round, especially in Texas where the weather is relatively pleasant throughout the four seasons.
The problem is, when you mix chaotic construction zones with distracted drivers, inexperienced drivers, incautious drivers, and drivers who don’t know how to properly judge their speeds in a construction zone, it can be a recipe for disaster. A lot of drivers would assume that construction zones are especially dangerous for the workers, but in reality, they’re more dangerous for the drivers and the occupants of their vehicles.
You see, construction zones are linked to more car accidents, so you can be the safest driver in the world but the driver next to you could be speeding, ignoring the construction signs, or texting while driving. Or, they can get anxious around construction, feel practically paralyzed and fail to react to lane closures or diversions. For a variety of reasons, construction zones often mean more accidents and the effects can be tragic for motorists.
Driving Safely in a Construction Zone
You can’t always control what other drivers do, but you can control your own actions. To help minimize the risk of causing an accident in a construction zone, follow this advice:
- Be cautious while driving and be on the lookout for construction.
- Do not text and drive.
- Avoid distracted driving.
- When approaching construction, adjust speed according to the construction signs posted about speed limits.
- As you drive into a construction zone, look for construction workers.
- Locate the construction workers and watch out for their safety.
- Drive defensively in a construction zone and realize other drivers may not be driving safely.
- If the speed limit sign says 45 mph in the construction zone, follow the speed limit.
Special note: Not all construction companies or municipalities follow the rules about posting warnings for construction on every project. Occasionally, a construction company for example, will drop the ball and therefore a construction zone will be particularly dangerous. Be aware that this happens and don’t wait for warning signs. Be alert and prepared for a construction zone that may not have adequate signage.
Related: Pain and Suffering in a Personal Injury Case
Injured in a car accident that was in or out of a construction zone? Contact our Plano car accident firm today for legal representation!