Slow Down, Construction Ahead
There are only two seasons in the Midwest – winter and road construction. There will be plenty of roadway repair projects this fall, so here’s what you need to know to safely reach your destination when road repairs and construction are taking place.
Limit Distractions. It is important to note that you need to be very focused at all times while driving. Your full attention is required for these kinds of roadway conditions since moving equipment, workers, and sudden stops are common. Avoid such things as changing radio stations or talking on the phone, even if it is on a hands-free device.
Warning Signs. Work zone signs are orange with black lettering or symbols that alert you of any traffic changes that lay ahead. A diamond or rectangular shaped sign can communicate a variety of things. It tells the driver if they need to move, how far away they are from construction, or gives the altered speed limit when passing through the work zone. Be prepared for adverse driving conditions as soon as you identify any of these signs.
Flaggers. When entering a highway construction or maintenance area, scan for workers in bright colored vests. Pay close attention to any worker that is directing traffic and follow their directions. Just because you do not see workers after passing a warning sign, that does not mean they are not out there on the road.
Barriers. Traffic patterns can change daily in work zones, primarily consisting of alternating lane closures. Drums and cones are used to guide traffic and help keep drivers and workers out of harm’s way. Larger barriers are used to prevent vehicles from entering closed roads or other areas where it may be dangerous to drive.
Reduced Speeds. Reduced speed limit signs legally change the posted speed limit on the work zone portion of the highway. By decreasing speed limits, safety increases for roadway workers and drivers – this is why fines are often doubled for speeding violations in construction zones. So, make sure to check your speed, slow down and continue at the reduced speed until you see a sign indicating the end of roadwork.
Frequently asked questions
Why are work zones so dangerous, especially in the Midwest?
Midwest drivers joke that there are only two seasons, winter and road construction, and it is not far from the truth. Work zones combine moving equipment, workers on foot, narrow or shifting lanes, sudden stops, and unfamiliar traffic patterns that can change daily. Drivers cannot rely on the layout they saw yesterday, and the consequences of inattention are higher because there are people on the pavement just feet from the travel lane. Top Driver instructors treat construction zones as one of the highest-focus driving environments, on par with severe weather or heavy night traffic.
What do the orange signs in a construction zone mean?
Orange diamond or rectangular signs with black lettering or symbols are work-zone warning signs. They tell you a few things: a lane closure or shift is coming, how far ahead the construction begins, and what the new speed limit is through the zone. Reduced speed limit signs in a work zone are legally enforceable, which means the lower number replaces the normal posted limit for that stretch of road. As soon as you see orange, treat it as a cue to limit distractions, slow down, and look further ahead for flaggers, barriers, and workers.
Why are speeding fines doubled in construction zones?
Because workers are out on the road just feet from passing traffic and a crash at higher speed is far more likely to be fatal. Reduced speed limits in work zones exist specifically to protect roadway workers and drivers alike, and most states double or otherwise enhance the fines for speeding violations in those zones to make the deterrent more serious. Continue at the reduced speed all the way through the work zone and do not return to the normal speed limit until you see a sign indicating the end of roadwork, even if you no longer see active workers.
What should I do when a flagger is directing traffic?
Follow their directions exactly, even if the directions contradict what the signs or signals would normally tell you. Flaggers wear bright vests and are positioned to control traffic flow through complex or shifting work zones, and their hand signals or signs override your usual cues. Slow down well before reaching them, make eye contact when possible, and obey the pace and direction they indicate. Also remember that workers can be on foot anywhere in the zone, not just where the flagger stands, so do not assume the path is clear of people just because you have moved past the warning signs.
How should I handle cones, drums, and barriers in a work zone?
Treat them as the boundary of your safe driving area. Cones and drums guide traffic through alternating lane closures and keep both drivers and workers out of harm's way. Larger concrete or plastic barriers block off entire closed sections of road where it would be dangerous to drive. Never crowd them, never weave between them to change lanes, and never use the closed lane to skip ahead of a slow line. Patterns can change daily in active work zones, so pay close attention to today's layout rather than driving on memory from your last trip through.
Should I use a hands-free phone in a construction zone?
No, save the call for after you clear the zone. Construction zones require your full attention because moving equipment, workers, sudden stops, and shifting lanes can happen at any moment. Even a hands-free conversation pulls cognitive bandwidth away from the driving task, which is exactly what you cannot afford here. Avoid changing radio stations, eating, programming a GPS, or taking calls until you are past the end-of-roadwork sign. The whole point of a work zone is reduced speed and full focus, and a phone call directly undermines both.
