BOISE – Road maintenance and construction are in full swing on Idaho roads, and AAA is reminding drivers to be extra careful in work zones.
“Work zones use signage and other safety countermeasures to alert drivers and protect workers, but they can’t always compensate for unsafe driving behavior,” says AAA Idaho public affairs director Matthew Conde. “Distractions and unsafe speeds can spell disaster in a work zone environment that is constantly changing. We need to do our part to help workers safely finish the job and make it home at the end of each day.”
AAA work zone reminders
- Enter your route into your navigation system, which can alert you to work zones, crashes, and slowdowns along the way. Check 511.idaho.gov for construction information and to view traffic cameras before you go.
- Don’t get complacent. Just because the work zone looked a certain way the last time you drove through, doesn’t mean it hasn’t changed.
- Drive at safe speeds, and watch for brake lights or changing traffic patterns.
- Anticipate the presence of workers at the roadside, as well as vehicles entering or exiting the work zone.
- Leave plenty of following distance between you and the vehicle in front of you.
- Ditch the distractions and keep your eyes and focus on the road.
“Any time you see an emergency vehicle on the side of the road, remember to slow down and, if possible, move over,” Conde said. “Emergency workers don’t always have the benefit of cones and barriers, and they are just as vulnerable at the roadside as those in a more established work zone.”