Slow Down, Stay Sharp: Safety Tips for Driving Through Work Zones

Work zones pose a unique set of challenges, with narrow lanes, changing traffic patterns, sudden stops and uneven surfaces. They require the same amount of focus and dexterity as a video game. In fact, driving through a work zone can feel like an adventure, full of surprises and moments where you level up in difficulty. But this is no game. CMVs account for nearly a third of fatal work zone crashes, and it's no wonder, given how difficult it can be to maneuver or quickly reduce the speed of a large, heavy vehicle. Follow these tips to keep yourself and others safe from injury. Research your route before you start your journey and try to avoid work zones. If there are any detours, use them. Stay focused. This is especially important in work zones. Be aware of any signs posted throughout. Look for notices of reduced speeds, lane changes, and other important information. And although you may be progressing at a crawl, avoid the temptation to multitask by eating, drinking, using your cell phone, checking gps, or talking with a passenger. And this isn't the time to play air guitar. It's critical that you maintain a sharp focus throughout this stretch of your drive. Slow down as you enter a work zone and keep an eye out for workers. Give them extra room and use care to drive extra slowly around them. Be prepared to stop. Move into open lanes as soon as you can when there's a lane shift, and pay close attention to the vehicles around you as they may also be changing lanes and can move into your blind spot. Keep your distance from the vehicle in front of you at all times. Maintain extra space so that you'll have room to react as sudden stops. Rear end crashes are particularly common in work zones. Now that we're out of the work zone, let's look at some FMCSA regulations that can help you avoid injury.