Smart Motorist

Most of the roads in use today were built at a time when traffic volumes were lower and vehicles traveled at slower speeds. America's population growth has overwhelmed the existing road network. Over the last thirty years, the vehicle miles we drive every year have increased by 130%. But our road mileage has only increased by 5%. Due to this increased congestion, the frustration of encountering highway work zones (or construction zones) has increased along with their increased frequency.

Work zones on U.S. highways have become increasingly dangerous places for both workers and travelers, with the death rate approaching two per day. With more than 70,000 work zones in place across America on a given day, highway agencies are realizing that it is not enough to focus on improving the devices used in the work zone areas, but that they must also reach out to the public in order to change the behavior of drivers so that crashes can be prevented.

Motorists who drive through work zones every day often do not pay enough attention to the advisory signs and thus fail to heed the posted warnings. Drivers need to be made aware of the fact that work zones require greater caution, adjusted speed appropriate for conditions, and heightened alertness. Although recent outreach campaigns, like the "Give 'Em A Brake" campaign, have focused mainly on the safety of the worker, it is also important for motorists to realize that their own safety is in just as much jeopardy as the workers'. Drivers may be surprised to learn that more injuries and fatalities involve motorists than highway workers.

The US Department of Transportation reports that in the past decade more than 8,000 fatalities have occurred in work zones. Fatalities in 1998 rose to 772, reversing a three-year decline in work zones fatalities from 1995-1997. Approximately 37,000 people were injured in work zones in 1998.

Work zone safety tips

• Drive within the posted speed limits.
• Dedicate full attention to the roadway.
• Disengage from distracting activities, such as changing radio stations and especially using mobile phones.
• Pay close attention to merge signs, flaggers, and don't change lanes within the work zone.
• Watch out - not only for workers in the zone, but also their equipment.
• Turn on the vehicle headlights to become more conspicuous to workers and other motorists.

 

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