Safe Driving in Work Zones | DC Metro Area Personal Injury Law Blog

Winter weather in the DC Metro Area and elsewhere can take a toll on aging streets and roadways.  Potholes caused by freezing water can quickly turn well-traveled streets into dangerous obstacle courses.  Road crews repair many of these holes in late winter or early spring, creating a temporary hazard of an entirely different sort.  The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) reminds motorists to watch for road workers this season and to drive carefully through areas where service crews are making repairs.  The organization offers the following tips for motorists to ensure the safety of road workers and drivers, alike:

• Stay alert! Expect anything to occur when entering a work zone.
• Pay close attention! Signs and work zone flaggers save lives.
• Turn on your headlights! Workers and other motorists must see you.
• Don’t tailgate! Unexpected stops frequently occur in work zones.
• Don’t speed! Note the speed limits in and around the work zone.
• Keep up with traffic flow! Dedicate your full attention to the road and those traveling around you.
• Don’t change lanes in the work zone! The time saved just isn’t worth it.
• Minimize distractions! Avoid changing radio stations and using mobile phones in the work zone.
• Expect the unexpected! Keep an eye out for workers and their equipment.
• Be patient! Remember, the work zone crewmembers are working to improve your future ride.

Previously on the DC Metro Area Personal Injury Law Blog, we have posted articles related to:

• Winter driving tips
• A study demonstrating that motorists on wireless phones cause multiple traffic problems
• Accident data and safety tips concerning young drivers
• Tire maintenance recommendations for motorists

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