Construction Zone Safety A Ten-Minute Training Topics Presentation

Statistics According to Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) facts, during the past 5 years in work zone crashes more than: 4,400 persons died (85 percent of whom were either the driver or passenger) 200,000 persons were injured Drivers are most likely to die in work zone crashes Most work zone fatalities involve working-age adults

Statistics Further, the top contributing circumstances for work-zone crashes were: Inattention (Ignoring traffic or disobeying signs/signals) Following too closely (too little time to react) Exceeding the speed limit or driving too fast for conditions Improper lane usage or lane change (merging issues)

Introduction Unfortunately, road construction, utility construction or demolition projects have become a regular part of our lives as we need to renew our infrastructure and expand roads due to increasing congestion. Since we can’t simply close roads while the work is completed, we have to manage these construction zones in an organized fashion.

Introduction Safety zones are designed to protect workers who are close to moving traffic, enable the delivery of needed construction supplies and the removal of debris while keeping traffic flowing as smoothly as possible.

Introduction Often these safety zones include lane reductions and lane restrictions to limit speed or limit access. Merging multiple lanes of traffic to squeeze through the zone creates frustration among motorists and commercial drivers.

Introduction Drivers who pay attention to warning signs and cooperate with others when merging are more likely to avoid pedestrian injuries and/or multi-vehicle collisions.

Work Zones & Planning Many hours of preplanning are completed to build a reasonable work zone safety plan. Construction managers need to balance their project’s concerns, project timeline and the need to maintain traffic safety through the shared area.

Work Zones & Planning In places where the work is being performed warnings to motorists are provided to alert them to the zone and what action will be needed to keep traffic flowing. This may include signs, barricades, vertical panels, drums, cones, tubular markers, flashing arrow panels and flaggers.

Work Zones & Planning Most commonly these warnings exist to prepare motorists to merge into fewer lanes (or a single lane). Where lanes end, there is a merge point. Although this point is usually well marked in advance, many inexperienced or aggressive drivers will wait until the very last moment to find a spot to merge back into the lane of travel that continues on down the road.

Collision Avoidance Tips When you first notice orange work zone signs remember to manage your three “S’s”: Speed, Space and Stress.

Collision Avoidance Tips Speed reminds you to always slow down when driving through construction zones. Lower speed allows you to notice more, have more time to react and more time to avoid collisions.

Collision Avoidance Tips Managing space by allowing more following distance gives you more choices if traffic suddenly and unexpectedly stops. You’ll have a cushion of room to allow for a smooth stop (reducing the odds of hitting the vehicle in front of you, and giving the vehicle behind you more time to slow down as well.)

Collision Avoidance Tips Stress builds when we realize that the delay from getting thru the construction zone may make us late, or create frustration when other drivers behave badly at merge points.

Collision Avoidance Tips By taking time to mentally prepare and stay calm, you may avoid aggressive driving which is characterized by letting emotions control your decisions instead of carefully calculated and rational decision making processes.

Merging, Not Crashing. The most dangerous part of the construction zone is the transition area. More than 80 percent of construction zone accidents occur in the transition areas leading into and out of the work zone.

Merging, Not Crashing. Be mindful of aggressive drivers trying to gain a better "position" by accelerating into and out of these areas. Strict attention to your mirrors and maintaining a safe and proper following distance make navigating these zones much safer.

Merging, Not Crashing. Sometimes it’s better to let someone cut you off instead of proving you were “in the right” and having a crash as a result. Remember, the right-of-way is something you give, not take. If another driver fails to follow the “rules of the road”, you should always give the right-of-way for safety’s sake.

Rough Road = Additional Concerns Since many work zones involve road construction, keep an eye out for pavement that's rough, uneven and narrow. Drop-offs and other conditions might affect how well you can control your vehicle. If you do drop off the pavement, be careful not to over-steer when attempting to control your vehicle. Fresh pavement may be slick in the rain from oils and tar, slow down on wet highways.

Summary Some final reminders to recall when you will be traveling though work zones on your trip: Check “5-1-1” before heading out on a trip to determine whether there are work zones along your route, or if heavy traffic congestion is causing delays due to work zones Allow extra time to reach your destination Observe the posted speed limit Use your signals and mirrors when merging Try to merge early – avoid last minute, aggressive moves Leave extra room in front of your vehicle in case traffic suddenly stops Pay attention to the roadway conditions and to flaggers

Summary Share the right-of-way with vehicles merging into your lane (be patient and aware of folks trying to merge at the last possible moment) Watch for construction workers who may be dangerously close to traffic Stay alert and drive cautiously as many state’s fines may double in work zones

Summary Manage your three S’s in Construction Zones! Speed – slow down Space – increase following distance Stress – prepare yourself for aggressive drivers and distractions from dealing with merging traffic