BOISE – Work zone season is upon us, and AAA is reminding drivers to be extra attentive in areas with road construction.
“Conditions in a work zone can change from day to day, so it’s really important to stay focused,” says AAA Idaho public affairs director Matthew Conde. “In some cases, you may be re-routed to the opposite side of the freeway, or lanes may merge. Be sure to follow signs and worker instructions and not blindly follow your GPS.”
AAA safety reminders
- Watch for work vehicles and other equipment entering or exiting the roadway.
- Observe posted speed limits.
- Ditch the distractions and focus on the road.
- Anticipate uneven road surfaces. While the road is being built or repaired, there could be rough spots, bumps, and even abrupt lane edges.
- Watch for workers in or near the road.
- Increase your following distance. Rear-end crashes are very common in work zones.
- If possible, select a route that avoids road construction.
- Move over early. Don’t wait until the last second to merge.
Every state has a law requiring drivers who approach a stationary emergency vehicle with flashing lights to slow down below the speed limit and, if possible, move over at least one lane to provide more space for emergency responders to safely do their job.
“Every vehicle crash or breakdown is a temporary work zone, but not all workers have the benefit of concrete barriers and other resources to keep traffic away from the incident,” Conde said. “Everyone deserves to make it safely home, and it will take a collective effort to achieve it.”