3 tips to stay safe while you drive in construction zones

Sometimes it seems like you cannot drive anywhere in Louisville without running into a construction zone. Driving through a construction zone without other traffic can often be a bit nerve wracking, but can it be extremely dangerous when you throw in a few hundred, or thousand, other drivers who maybe do not drive as defensively as you do.

Since it is not possible to avoid every construction zone, it is important to know some techniques to increase your chances of getting through them unscathed. The following tips can help you stay safe in construction zones.

Keep your distance

Unexpected things happen in construction zones which is why you need to increase your following distance. While other cars may crowd together and tailgate, keep in mind that this behavior will not get you through a construction zone any faster. Instead, keep your distance so that you have the additional seconds you might need to avoid a wreck.

Always assume that workers are present

Even though a construction zone may not look active, never assume that workers are not on site. Reduce your speed and stay alert for the men and women who could be working, even at night. Obeying the speed limit in construction zones will not only increase your and the workers’ safety, it could help you avoid other potential collisions.

Obey the flaggers

Flaggers are present at construction zones in order to alert drivers of dangers. Some might force you to come to a stop because a piece of heavy machinery needs the lane ahead and others might be indicating that you need to merge into one lane. Follow their instructions in order to avoid an accident with construction zone workers, equipment or other drivers.

While the above tips can help you stay safe in construction zones, other drivers may not exercise the same amount of caution and you may not be able to avoid a wreck with a reckless driver. If you have suffered an injury due to a car wreck in a construction zone, you might be able to take legal action to recoup your medical expenses, the cost of the repairs or replacement of your car and other damages.