Summer always brings increased road work as most municipalities take advantage of the weather and reduce commuting traffic to maintain and upgrade our Nation’s roadways. Once complete, we will likely appreciate the extra lanes or more comfortable ride-the-road work provides. However, traffic patterns and other construction changes during road work can create dangerous circumstances leading to traffic accidents.
In 2020, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported over 100,000 work zone accidents that resulted in over 44,000 injuries and 857 fatalities. Driver distraction was a large factor, with 20% of work zone crashes resulting in rear-end collisions. Not surprisingly, speeding was a factor 37% of the time, and 27% of the accidents involved a commercial vehicle.
The Federal Highway Administration offers the following safety tips to help save lives and to reduce work zone crashes.
Distracted driving is dangerous and sometimes illegal. Don’t use your cell phone unless it is hands-free, but wait to make the call until the roads are clear. While in a work zone, avoid other distractions such as looking at the navigation, changing the radio, and eating.
Avoid drowsy driving and take a break or have a coffee if necessary.
Read and follow all road signs and watch for brake lights on vehicles ahead. Also, keep an eye on the vehicles around you and be ready to react to their driving. Be aware that work vehicles, workers, or equipment may enter your lane without warning.
merge before you reach the lane closure, and recognize that lane adjustments can happen daily. Also, change lanes only where the pavement markings indicate and only when traffic conditions permit.
If there are flaggers, follow their instructions and be respectful of their directions.
Often, speed limits are reduced significantly in work zones, especially when lane reductions, shifting, and narrowing. Further, fines for moving violations are often doubled in work zones. Be prepared to slow down depending on driving conditions.
Check traffic on the radio or online to better anticipate current road conditions. Be prepared for delays by leaving early or by planning an alternate route.
If you or a loved one have been injured in an accident, you can count on the experienced personal injury lawyers at Mezrano Law Firm to fight for your right to fair compensation for your injuries.
Mezrano Law Firm wants to be your first call. Our experienced Alabama personal injury lawyers protect the rights of the injured throughout the state. We have offices in Birmingham, Florence, Gadsden, Mobile, Montgomery, and Tuscaloosa to serve you.