Tips for Driving Safely Around Construction Zones

Tips for Driving Safely Around Construction Zones

There is an old joke that says Atlanta has been under construction since the end of the Civil War. In a way, that is true; however, most of the construction in and around the city has little to do with damage from cannons. Instead, new homes and apartments, restaurants, office parks, road work, and other projects can cause massive delays as drivers try to navigate the maze of orange cones that often line the streets.

Much of this new construction is due in part to the rapidly growing population of metro Atlanta. As more people flock to our city, more housing and other amenities are needed. In addition, a variety of infrastructure improvements will be undertaken this year, including the repair of some of the 374 bridges across the state that are in poor condition.

In addition to bridge repairs, Interstate 285 will be under construction for the next decade, including the rebuilding of the I-285 and Ga. 400 interchange that is set to be completed this year. There are various other highway construction projects planned over the next few years as well, such as the widening of I-85 near Jackson County.

While repairing these bridges – some over a century old – and various other highway construction projects are incredibly important, they will only add to the traffic issues across the region. Work zones will become even more common, and drivers need to know how to navigate around these areas safely.

Unfortunately, construction sites are magnets for car accidents. If you are injured in a wreck that was not your fault, you have the right to seek compensation. The Duluth car accident attorneys at Scholle Law understand how devastating a collision can be. We have recovered over $75 million on behalf of our clients, and we know what it takes to get the compensation you deserve.

Give us a call at (866) 592-1296 or contact us online for a free, no-obligation consultation with a Duluth car wreck lawyer today.

Construction Zone Safety Driving Tips

Tips for Driving Safely Around Construction Zones infographic

Click for full size

According to the Federal Highway Administration, there were more than 800 fatalities in construction zones in 2019. Drivers and passengers in passenger motor vehicles comprised most of these fatalities, and the majority of these wrecks occurred on interstate and arterial roadways.

When it comes to driving near construction zones, the most important tip to keep in mind is to slow down! Speed is one of the main causes of fatalities around work sites. Slowing down allows you to react more quickly to other vehicles, pedestrians, workers, and other potential dangers on the road.

In addition to slowing down, follow these construction zone safety tips to lessen your chances of being in a wreck:

Know Before You Go

The easiest way to avoid a car accident in a construction site is to avoid them altogether. Before you hit the road, use your GPS or mapping app to see if there is any roadwork on your route. If there is, try to take an alternate route. If that is not an option, build in extra time into your plans to account for the delays around construction sites.

Stay Focused on the Road

Paying attention to the road is always important when you are driving in Atlanta, but it is crucial around work zones. Turn down your music, avoid looking at your phone, and keep your full attention on the road. Pay attention to signs, cones, and flagmen on the road, which will provide useful information such as temporary speed limits, detours, traffic flow, and more.

Move into the Far Lane

In most cases, you will have ample warning that a work zone is coming up. When you see these signs, you should try to move to the lane farthest from the construction as soon as possible. However, make sure you do not cut off another driver or otherwise use dangerous maneuvers to put distance between yourself and the construction.

Keep Your Distance

According to Insurify, Georgia had the second-most tailgating violations in 2021. Tailgating, or following too closely, often leads to rear-end collisions. These types of accidents account for about a quarter of all worker fatalities in construction zones. You should always maintain a three-second distance between your car and the one in front of you, especially when traffic stops and starts erratically around work zones.

Get the Help You Need After a Work Zone Car Accident in Duluth

If Benjamin Franklin were living in Atlanta today, he would say that nothing is certain except death, taxes, and roadwork. Dealing with construction and other work zones will likely always be part of driving around the metro area. As such, it is crucially important for drivers to understand construction zone safety to avoid causing or otherwise being involved in a car accident.

Unfortunately, just because you drive safely does not mean other drivers will. If you are involved in a car wreck that was caused by someone else’s actions or negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. The Duluth car accident lawyers at Scholle law have the experience and skills needed to take on the insurance companies to get the money you deserve.

Give us a call at (866) 592-1296 or contact us online for a free, no-obligation consultation with a Duluth car wreck lawyer today.