Work zone accidents occur quite often in Arkansas. Construction is necessary to keep the roads in good condition, but it also makes driving more hazardous. Many people who get involved in work zone crashes turn to Fayetteville car accident lawyers for advice and representation. However, it is best to avoid these collisions wherever possible. You cannot control what other road users do but you can practice safe driving. In this blog post, we will share some safety tips that you can use as you navigate work zones.
Keeping Work Zone Accidents to a Minimum
Drivers should operate their vehicles in such a way that they do not endanger themselves or others. The next time you spot construction on a Fayetteville road, make sure that you:
- Pay attention to the road. You should always be looking for signs indicating that road works are ahead. These signs are usually erected miles before you reach the actual construction site. This means you need to prepare for driving conditions that you are not used to. There may be obstructions, large trucks, fewer lanes in use, detours, and other changes. If you see other vehicles slowing down or stopping suddenly be prepared to brake. Keep an eye on the drivers around you and drive with extra caution until you see a sign indicating that the road works have ended.
- Do not get distracted. The main reason why drivers get involved in work zone accidents is that they get distracted. You should always have your full attention on the road when you are driving but it becomes even more important in a construction zone. You simply do not know when you will need to respond to hazards or follow new instructions from workers. When you enter a work zone, make sure you avoid using your phone, eating, fiddling with the radio, or checking your GPS. Taking your eyes off the road for even a few seconds can be deadly.
- Do not tailgate. If you drive too close to other drivers, you are likely to rear-end them if they suddenly need to stop because of the roadworks. To be on the safe side, leave enough space between your vehicle and the one in front of you so you have enough room to slow down or stop.
- Merge correctly. You will likely see signs indicating that certain lanes are closed and there may be cones guiding you in a particular direction. This means you need to merge well before you get to the closed lane. Even though you may have traveled the same route before, you may need to adjust to new traffic patterns.
- Turn on your headlights even if it is daytime. You want to be as visible as possible to everyone around you including construction workers and other drivers. Turning on your headlights will make it much more likely that no one will miss you.
- Adhere to the speed limit. Do not expect the speed limit to be the same when there’s construction work ongoing. You need to slow down so you can control your vehicle better and stop safely when you need to do so. Driving within the speed limit also ensures that you do not injure the workers.
- Expect the unexpected. Construction zones are highly unpredictable, and you need to be prepared for this. Equipment, workers, or heavy machinery could appear in front of you with little warning. You may also encounter sudden lane changes.
- Take your time. Road works can cause traffic to back up and you may be tempted to rush. This makes you even more likely to get involved in an accident. Go slowly and give yourself extra time to reach your destination.
Contact The Law Office of Jason M. Hatfield for Assistance
The Arkansas Department of Transportation has set a goal of achieving no more than 11 work zone fatalities and 12 serious injuries by 2022. Work Zone Safety Initiatives in Arkansas. The Arkansas Work Zone Safety and Mobility Policy is focused on education, engineering, emergency services, and enforcement.
Still, it is likely that some work zone accidents will continue to occur. If you get involved in a crash that was not your fault, you are entitled to compensation from the responsible party. Recovering damages is often difficult so you will need to work closely with an experienced attorney to ensure you are treated fairly. Let our Fayetteville car accident attorneys assist you in getting compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and other losses. We have several years of experience in helping accident victims get their lives back together. Your first consultation is free, so you have nothing to lose by calling us.