Construction Workers Have the Right of Way
[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”3683″ border_color=”grey” img_link_target=”_self” img_size=”full”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]As a driver you are required to be aware of your surroundings at all times. Nowhere is this more important than when you are driving in a construction zone. The lanes may be narrower. Workers may cross the road in front of you or be working right at the edge of traffic. Large construction equipment may impair your view or enter the lane unexpectedly. It will be up to you to safely avoid all of these and other hazards as you make your way through the work zone.
The Flagman
When you are driving on city or country roads your most common interaction with construction crews will be the flagman. His job is to direct traffic around road construction. He does this by using a sign that reads “stop” on one side and “slow” on the other. Before you reach him you will pass “work ahead” signs that are your signal to begin slowing down. Slow even further as you approach the flagman and come to a complete stop if that is what his sign shows. When he indicates for you to proceed, do so slowly through the entire work zone. Watch carefully for the other workers in the area. They will not have very much room to work in and may step into the path of traffic as part of their job. Once safely through the construction you will be able to continue driving normally.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]
Freeway Construction Zone
Driving in a construction zone on the freeway is even more dangerous. There is no flagman to let you know that it is safe to proceed. Instead you will see the “road work ahead” signs, usually several miles before you actually enter the work area. You’ll also see signs for reduced speed limits as you approach the construction zone. The new speed limit will put your car at a speed safe for the hazards you’ll encounter during the work zone.
When you enter the road construction, watch for construction vehicles entering and leaving the zone and workers that are close to the flow of traffic. You should always be aware of the other vehicles in front and behind you. Do not follow another car too closely, in case they need to stop abruptly.
Construction Zone On Ramps
When a freeway construction zone passes an on ramp it adds another element of danger to your driving. The motorists on the freeway may not have a second lane to move into to allow you to enter. Sometimes, the ramp has a “yield” sign, but whether it does or not, the drivers already on the freeway have the right of way. As you come down the ramp turn on your signal to enter the stream of traffic and slow. If the traffic is heavy, you may be forced to come to a stop and wait for an opening. At your first safe opportunity, enter the flow and accelerate to the posted construction zone speed limit.
As you become a more experienced driver many of these skills will become second nature to you. What you should always keep in mind is that the construction workers that you pass are improving the roads that you are driving on. They are working in a very hazardous environment and need you to make their jobs a little safer. Remember, in many areas the traffic fines are increased in work zones and you may face criminal charges for injuring or killing a worker.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
Frequently asked questions
What should I do when I see a flagger in a construction zone?
Start slowing down the moment you see the orange "work ahead" signs, and slow down more as you approach the flagger. The flagger holds a paddle that reads STOP on one side and SLOW on the other. If it shows STOP, come to a complete stop. If it shows SLOW or they wave you through, proceed at a low speed all the way through the work area, not just past the flagger. Other workers may be inches from the lane edge, so don't speed back up until you're fully clear of the zone.
Do construction workers actually have the right of way?
Yes. In an active work zone, workers and the flagger directing traffic have the right of way over through traffic. They're operating in a hazardous environment with very little buffer between them and moving vehicles, and they may need to step into the lane as part of the job. Your responsibility as a driver is to slow down, follow their direction, and give them room to work. Failing to do so isn't just rude, it can be criminal.
How are freeway construction zones different from surface road zones?
Freeway work zones are more dangerous because there's no flagger to manage traffic and everyone is moving at high speed. Watch for advance "road work ahead" signs, usually posted several miles before the actual zone, followed by reduced speed limit signs. Drop to the posted construction-zone speed, increase your following distance so you can stop without rear-ending anyone, and watch for construction vehicles entering and exiting the work area. Visibility around heavy equipment is often poor, so don't assume operators can see you.
Who has the right of way at an on-ramp inside a construction zone?
Drivers already on the freeway have the right of way, whether or not the ramp is marked with a yield sign. Construction often blocks the freeway's right lane, so traffic may not be able to move over to let you in. Coming down the ramp, turn on your signal, slow down, and be prepared to come to a complete stop and wait for a gap if traffic is heavy. Once an opening appears, accelerate to the posted construction-zone speed limit, not the normal highway limit.
What are the penalties for speeding or causing injury in a work zone?
Most states (Illinois, Michigan, and Ohio included) double or significantly increase traffic fines inside an active construction zone. Hitting or killing a worker can move beyond a traffic violation into criminal charges, including reckless homicide depending on the circumstances. Photo-enforced work zones on Illinois interstates issue automated tickets to drivers caught speeding when workers are present. Treat orange signs as a financial and legal warning, not a suggestion.
