MANEUVERING THROUGH HIGHWAY WORK ZONES

Drivers often get frustrated when they approach a highway work zone, especially with the warning that “fines are doubled in a work zone.”  The leading cause of highway construction worker injuries and fatalities is contact with construction vehicles, objects, and equipment.  Through a number of good practices, these injuries and deaths can be preventable. 

More roadwork is being done as our highway infrastructure ages, and many transportation agencies are focusing on rebuilding and improving existing roadways.  Therefore, more roadwork is performed on roads that are open to traffic.  Traffic continues to grow and create more congestion, especially in urban areas.  Some urban areas are doing more night work in order to avoid major lines of traffic during peak travel periods.  With more work done alongside increasingly heavier traffic and greater use of night work, increased safety considerations should be given to highway workers.  They are doing their job in order to make your highways safer and better.  Two regulations and resources on good practices that can help workers perform their jobs safely are: 

  • MUTCD Part 6, Section 6D.03:  Requires the use of high-visibility safety apparel by workers who are working within the rights-of-way of Federal-aid highways.
  • High Visibility Standard: Provides a guide for the design, performance specifications, and use of high-visibility and reflective apparel including vests, jackets, bib-jumpsuit coveralls, trousers, and harnesses. 

Roadway maintenance activities occur close to traffic, which creates a potentially dangerous environment for workers, drivers, and incident responders.  In many cases, a Temporary Traffic Control (TTC) Zone will be needed to protect both workers and incident responders, as well as to allow for the safe movement of road users through or around these zones. 

All workers who are involved with planning, installation, maintenance, and removal of a TTC Zone should have the appropriate safety and TTC Training.  Drivers should be given adequate advance warning about the upcoming work zone to all road users by using the appropriate traffic control devices, such as cones or signs.  Highway workers do not want to interfere with traffic; however, it is up to drivers to slow down, relax, and pay attention.  The “double your traffic fine in work zones” should get your attention. 

Mobile work moves intermittently or continuously.  The same devices and vehicles apply to mobile work can be used for short duration operations.  Examples of mobile work include:  pavement marking installation; pavement sweeping; mowing in the highway right-of-way; and snow removal.  Law enforcement officers and first responders may be involved in assisting persons involved in accidents; drivers should stop if necessary or get out of their way if possible.  All persons working on or around work zones should be given the courtesy of working safely.  Drivers should watch for temporary signs, lights, or other warning devices and begin to slow down in plenty of time. 

Let’s keep our highways safe, for ourselves, and for the men and women who work to keep them safe for everyone.

4 thoughts on “MANEUVERING THROUGH HIGHWAY WORK ZONES”

  1. This is a great reminder for everyone who drives by work zones. The workers in these zones also want to go home on time just as they want the motorists to reach their destinations. The least the motorists could do is to pay extra attention to where they are going. Because if they don’t accidents are bound to happen. And sadly, these accidents have really terrible endings. Take for example, the accident that happened in Irwin County. Three drivers couldn’t go home to their families as they died from the 8-car chain reaction crash. Also, the workers in the highway work zones are just about 3-4 feet away from the functional lanes. That in itself is a reason to slow down. It’s not just the drivers’ safety at stake here. The safety of the ones working to keep the roads in good condition and bring comfort to your driving experience should also be taken into consideration.

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