Road construction is a way of life for residents of Gulfport. Even though work zones may cause traffic congestion and make you late, they are essential for building infrastructure. Regrettably, construction areas can also be dangerous for motorists. In fact, on average, about 800 drivers, passengers, pedestrians or cyclists lose their lives when passing through road construction every year.
To ensure you reach your destination on time, you may want to map your route around construction zones. Some areas, nonetheless, are simply unavoidable. Fortunately, you can increase your odds of moving through the work zone safely by taking a few simple steps. Here are three of them:
- Slow down
Arguably, the most important thing you can do to stay safe in a construction area is to reduce your traveling speed. While heeding posted speed limits is a good idea, you must recognize that circumstances may call for moving even slower.
- Stay focused
Distracted driving is always a bad idea. Not only does it put your life in danger, but it may also be extremely expensive. If you do not maintain focus when passing through a construction zone, though, you are apt to be unable to respond to changing traffic patterns or road conditions. Putting away your smartphone, turning down the radio and limiting conversations with your passengers may help you stay focused.
- Comply with signs
Occasionally, you probably see road construction signs in areas where everything seems normal. If there are signs, however, you should comply with them. Remember, road construction can be unpredictable. Even if there are no traffic cones, big trucks or new lanes, workers may be present. Until you see indications that you have cleared the construction zone, such as normal speed limit signs, you should assume you are still in a potentially dangerous area.
Few things can derail your day faster than an automobile crash. If the crash leaves you with serious injuries, though, you may experience long-term and life-altering consequences. Because you have some chance of having a car accident in a construction zone, committing to driving safely is critical.
