One of the most common excuses people give when theyre caught speeding in a work zone is that they didnt want to be late to wherever they were headed. Be sure to pay close attention to vehicles around you that could be in your blind spot. To view the work zones on Illinois roadways, please access the map below. Workers are at greater risk of being struck by an errant vehicle, and drivers are at greater risk of colliding with a piece of machinery or other equipment within the work zone. Here are some tips to ensure the experience of driving in a road work zone is a safe one for all: A construction zone typically doesnt just sneak up on you there should be several orange construction zone signs alerting you to the upcoming work area. Do not brake suddenly. Slow down. And, remember, using handheld phones is illegal when driving anywhere in Illinois. There is no fixed time limit, but we do use guidance based on traffic, site conditions, and past experience to determine a reasonable advance warning time to alert drivers to an upcoming ramp closure. There is also a higher likelihood of impaired drivers at night, either under the influence or even just drowsy. Drive slowly and carefully near work zones. Plus, the instructions given by these signs and signals will likely contradict the way you would usually drive on this road prior to the work zone being established. DON'T TAILGATE! Theyre necessary to improve the roads for everyone. Consider the following tips: With a little foresightand a lot of patiencedriving through a work zone can be safe and stress-free for everyone on the road, drivers and workers. But under normal circumstances, these trucks just sit near the start of the work zone and don't appear to be doing anything. Explanation In work zones, you should observe posted speed limits. While many of these incidents only resulted in property damage, a large number lead to injuries or fatalities: The term work zone refers to any area on a public road where utility, construction or maintenance work is being conducted. when driving through a highway work zone, you should. line painting, road patching and mowing are mobile, down the road as the work is finished. Road construction can slow things down. Stop Slow Paddles are sometimes used to help negotiate traffic when one side of the street is closed off; treat the stop side like a red traffic light, even if you dont see any oncoming cars! White background regulatory signs. This amounts to a great deal of information to take in. Roadside workers want to get home safely too. Work zone safety is important to IDOT. Look out for diversions and pay attention to traffic signs and signals. For more information about construction zone safety paraphernaliaincluding product overviews and a full catalog of our equipment offeringsplease visit the official Transline Industries, Inc. website. When approaching a work zone, reduce your speed and check the road ahead for slowing or stopped traffic. 2300 S. Dirksen Parkway KEEP A SAFE DISTANCE BETWEEN YOU AND THE CAR AHEAD OF YOU. SLOW DOWN! There is a 6-month grace period for recertification, but you may not work as a TCS at any time if your card is expired. Heavy machinery. It is both more efficient and safer for workers to set up one long work zone rather than have to keep moving or adjusting shorter ones. Watch out for road crews. . Additional risks include: Shoulder or other unexpected drop-offs. Digging may have occurred just inside the work zone, and concrete barrier may be protecting not only workers but a significant drop-off or other hazard on the other side. Generally, the length of a work zone (closed lane) has minimal effect on traffic delay - the majority of the delay is generated where traffic merges into the reduced number of lanes. This graphic shows warning devices such as signs, cones, barrels and flaggers. Dont try to swerve to avoid these areas if youre driving slowly enough, your car should remain safe. Pull your vehicle over and consider an alternative route to your destination or wait for the water to subside. Since work zone traffic is so stop-and-start, it can be advisable to increase this number to around 14 seconds. However, it is illegal for drivers in the open lane to actively block merging traffic, including blocking part of the merging lane to prevent perceived cutting in line. rear-end accidents occur because of drivers following too close and traveling too fast for the conditions. Be aware of all signage throughout work zones that can indicate reduced speeds, lane changes and other important information. Sudden lane changes. Work zones are usually easy to identify by their orange warning signs. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 10 CDL safety tips to use when driving through a work zone - Schneider Jobs Renewals require a one-day recertification course if taken before your current card expires. Scan Production is generally slower and quality can suffer because of limited light - even with temporary lighting such as portable light plants. If traffic is light, you can move over early and there should not be any issues. Work Zones - idot.illinois.gov Their entire job is to guide drivers through the work zone safely. . Depending on the level of traffic, lanes may. when driving through a highway work zone, you should. Illinois Department of Competitive and reckless driving put all drivers on the road at risk. Drive slowly and carefully near work zones. Your email address will not be published. Look out for diversions and pay attention to traffic signs and signals. (Normal speed limits may be reduced, traffic lanes changed and people working very close to the road). Im about to take my test and Im 100% sure Ill pass due to this app, thanks so such. We are all responsible for work zone safety, so please use caution and obey speed limits when driving through our work zones. TxDOTs Be Safe. You should always keep your eyes on the road, but this is exceptionally important in work zones. Receive current traffic conditions, mountain pass reports, construction updates and more. Understand that many high-risk work zones are under surveillance or will have an increased law-enforcement presence. Springfield, IL 62764, Data Driven Decisions for Capacity Projects, Work Zone Safety Awareness Week Proclamation. Depending on the extent of a particular inspection, and the equipment necessary to perform the inspection, we may have to close a bridge entirely to complete it. 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Common work operations that are not always easy to see: In many cases, it is not safe or feasible to perform a work operation within the limits of a single lane. Washington, DC 20590 The answer is: A. In most cases, what action would you take? Driving too fast or recklessly through a highway work zone is dangerous to your life and passengers and it is dangerous to highway workers laboring to improve roadways and further ensure your safety while driving. One out of two people who are injured or who lose their lives in highway work zones are motorists. Just because you dont see the workers immediately after you see the warning sign doesnt mean theyre not out there. We want to ensure that drivers are aware that they are in a work zone and are alert to any conditions that may be different from normal. You may encounter signs, signal devices, cones and traffic control personnel, all in place to warn motorists and guide them around the work zone safely. Share the road with these safe driving tips. Work Zone Driving Rules: Road Signs, Right-of-Way, Speed Limit & Penalties This vital conclusion to our highway driving section reiterates the safe highway driving practices you must adhere to, discusses the importance of planning for your trip and teaches you how to handle an emergency on the highway. When driving through roadway work zones, you should: 1) Reduce speed , stay alert and stay safe so you get home safely. Areas such as where temporary concrete barrier is still protecting a work area, even during non-work hours, still require warning signs because this is not the normal condition of the roadway. What are the rules and laws as I drive in a construction zone? But unfortunately, in many areas, springtime is the start of road construction season that time of year when orange cones and construction zones slow down traffic and can even cause traffic confusion and a higher likelihood for crashes. email When drivers merge more like a zipper, where vehicles in both lanes come together smoothly - even if not at full posted speed - everyone can get through the merge much quicker. Rear-end collisions are the most common kind of work zone crashes. Portable Changeable Message Signs (PCMS). Most work zone crashes are caused by irresponsible or distracted drivers. If a driver happens to be traveling through a work zone during these times, crews may have already set up signs but not started setting up devices like cones and barrels, or they may have taken down the devices and haven't made it back to pick up the sigs yet. Collisions are traumatic, even when there aren't serious injuries, but you need to remain as calm as possible and stay in your vehicle. Shoulder or other unexpected drop-offs. Work Zone Safety - MDOT SHA - Maryland.gov Enterprise Agency Template Drive Smart." campaign offers five tips for safely driving through work zones: Slow down. 800-44-PRIDE, Text "Chat" to 28000 And . Learn more about this answer below. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. We also need your help to ensure that both the traveling public and the workers in the work zone make it home safely every day. As a result, they generally hinder the flow of traffic to some degree. While exiting a highway is nowhere near as difficult or intimidating as entering one, there is still a lot that can go wrong. Reduced speed limits. When driving through a work zone, you should: Answers Slow down. to install app, When people are working on the road, it is a hazard. When entering a work zone: Once you are in a work zone, it is important to maintain a safe speed and keep your eyesand earsfocused on what is going on around you. For reference, a truck driving at 60 mph travels 88 feet per second. Other tips for staying safe in a work construction zone include: Keep these tips in mind as you encounter any construction zones in your area, and avoid traffic fines associated with construction area on the road. Slow Down. Find shareable campaign materials, downloadable graphics, and social media content, here. Watch for sharp pavement drop-offs. Make sure you arent distracted when youre behind the wheel so that you can be aware of upcoming construction. Whether youve been driving a semi-truck for decades or got your commercial drivers license last week, use these safety tips when driving through a work zone to make sure you and road construction workers get home safely. Construction zones sometimes present unforeseen and potentially dangerous situations for drivers. We try to be as efficient as possible and expedite work through the use of specialized equipment that improves our work production. Resources to help you adapt to the realities of COVID-19. Avoid distractions such as your cellphone, eating, drinking, the radio, GPS and conversing with other passengers. Changing conditions related to work zones can challenge even the safest drivers. This applies to both log and short duration work. to ensure your own safety as well as the safety of those around you. Stick well within the speed limit. It requires drivers to move over a lane or reduce their speed to 20 mph below the posted speed limit when approaching TxDOT, emergency, law enforcement, tow truck, or utility vehicles stopped with flashing lights activated on the roadside or shoulder. A typical freeway lane closure requires a minimum 720 foot taper for a 60 MPH posted speed limit. Orange background advisory speed signs, used for sharp curves, rough roadways, and other situations where driving at the regular speed limit is not advised. Take more free practice tests for other CDL topics with our. A total of 712 fatalities occurred as a result of work zone crashes in 2015. You might be surprised to learn that even common driving habits can be unsafe. Sorry to hear about the added traffic near your home. Copyright 2023, Texas Department of Transportation. with caution and always pay close attention to your surroundings. Mobile work vehicles may also be equipped with warning signs or flashing directional arrows, instructing motorists to merge left or right. Rear-end crashes are extremely common in work zones maintain extra space between your vehicle and the one in front of you at all times. Road work zones can also be dangerous, both for those who are driving on the roads around them and for the workers completing necessary road repairs. The complex risk environments created by roadway work zones around America resulted in some 96,626 crashes in 2015 alone. To ensure the safe passage of vehicles during construction, traffic workers are often used to direct traffic along modified routes. Answer This question, or a similar one, may show up on your driver's license written exam. If you encounter standing or deep water on the roadway, the safest thing to do is leave it well alone. In a work zone, drivers should always pay attention to roadway signs, construction workers on or near the road and the road's surface. New York DMV | Chapter 8: Defensive Driving All of our bridges require regular inspections. Privacy policy | Associate privacy disclosure | Do not sell or share my personal information (CA only) | Notice at collection (CA only) | Limit the use of my sensitive personal information (CA only) | Accessibility, 10 CDL safety tips to use when driving through a work zone. Live traffic directly adjacent to road work, separated only by a lane stripe and cones or barrels, is extremely hazardous for both workers and drivers. The Washington State Department of Transportation released this video of a construction zone crash as a warning to pay attention in work zones and travel a speed that will allow you to. WSDOT does not hire flaggers or other traffic control workers for private or commercial activities. Stay up to date with the latest news and learn more about who we are. An official website of the United States government Here's how you know. We all know why: lanes can be narrower than usual, the traffic patterns are typically different than youre used to, large construction trucks and other vehicles can be entering and exiting the road where you dont expect them to the list goes on and on. Learn how to get started and find your next business opportunity. When driving through a work zone, you should: - DMV Written Test Washington State Flagger Certification courses are available at many Community Colleges and through the TCOC approved training providers listed below (State flagging cards from Oregon, Idaho and Montana State flagging cards are also accepted in Washington. and potentially dangerous situations for drivers. Navigating Your Business Through COVID-19, Travelers customer? Driving through a work zone can be daunting, especially when facing unfamiliar roads, signs and vehicles. Often, it is high-traffic roadways such as urban highways and city streets that require repairs or development, as they are subject to greater wear and strain than less well-traveled areas. Throughout the year, no matter where youre driving, youre going to come across a construction zone. After all, the slower youre going, the more time you have to react to unexpected pitfalls, and the less likely you are to have a collision. There are sometimes also orange cones, barrels and traffic flaggers, and additional signs if traffic patterns change. Here's why: This is just part of what goes into the complex issue of determining when night work is appropriate. Taking at least seven seconds to complete your lane change (while still keeping an eye on your mirrors). Work Zone Safety - PennDOT There may be times when "Road Work Ahead" signs are posted but no work is going on. Night work is typically more expensive, as work is slower, more traffic control is needed, artificial lighting is required, and additional protective measures are needed. Pay attention. United States, Email: OurRoads@dot.gov used to direct traffic along modified routes. There are additional rules, safety tips and considerations which all drivers must keep in mind when using limited access highways. With these extra measures taken to protect road users and construction workers, you are considerably more likely to be caught breaking the rules. Use your 4-way flashers or brake lights to warn drivers behind you. hoosing not to drive in rain, snow or fog, at night or during any other hazardous conditions is always the smartest decision. If you happen to break down in a work zone, the first thing to remember is not to panic. If there are police officers, flaggers or other workers in the road directing traffic, you must follow their instructions implicitly. Make sure you slow down and follow the speed limits with a lot of vehicles coming in and out, its important to be able to stop quickly. Most. A lock ( LockA locked padlock ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. Driving through deep water. Drivers must slow down considerably when approaching work vehicles, as they typically travel at speeds of around five mph.
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