Know the Signs…Drive Carefully Through Road Construction Zones This Holiday Weekend
Safe Driving Tips from the National Work Zone Safety Information Clearinghouse
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contacts: Brad Sant
July 2, 2009 Lisa McCluskey
202-289-4434
(Washington, D.C.)—As Americans hit the road this upcoming July 4th holiday weekend, the National Work Zone Safety Information Clearinghouse is urging all motorists to pay special attention and drive carefully through road construction zones. Nearly 1,000 motorists and workers are killed annually in these sites, and 40,000 are injured. With the regular annual highway investments from the federal government and additional resources this year through the stimulus law, there will be thousands of roadway work zones across the country during the busy summer construction season. To help drivers, the Clearinghouse has these tips:
- Know the work zone signs. Orange warning signs are there to help you and other drivers move safely through roadway construction zones.
- Obey flaggers. Flaggers are trained to move traffic safely through work zones, so pay attention to their direction.
- Obey posted speed limits. Speeding through work zones is a major cause for accidents and injuries. Many states have significantly increased fines for speeding. Pay attention for reduced speed limits and slow down.
- Pay attention to other drivers and objects. Keep a safe distance between your vehicle and traffic barriers, trucks, construction equipment and workers. Watch out for sudden stops, merging traffic and other work zone dangers.
- Stay focused and avoid distractions. Do not use cell phones or text while driving. Avoid eating and other activities which may take your focus from the road.
- Expect the unexpected. Stay alert for lane or road surface changes, possible mobile work zones and erratic driver behavior.
- Keep your cool and be patient. Work zones are necessary to improve the roads for everyone and to meet community needs.
The Clearinghouse is a program of the American Road & Transportation Builders Association Transportation Development Foundation in partnership with the Texas Transportation Institute, which manages day-to-day operations.
The facility’s Web site, www.workzonesafety.org, is the world’s largest online information outlet. It boasts numerous resources for drivers, including an interactive work zone safety quiz, special information for teen drivers and links to national traffic and road closure information—all at no cost.
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Posted: 7/2/2009
Categories: Driver Education | Work Zone Safety | News Releases
