Construction Zone Driving Safety

Road construction can be frustrating to drive through, especially if you’re late to work or on your way to an event. However, safety should be the main concern when driving through a construction zone.

Not only do proper driving habits keep you safe, but they also protect the workers doing their job. Some of the most common accidents in these instances are rear-end collisions due to improper following distance while driving.

At Shapiro Law Team, we’ve worked on a variety of construction zone accidents. We’ll go over the basics of what a work zone is, what it means to have a safe following distance, and tips to keep yourself safe as you drive through a construction zone. 

What Is A Work Zone and Why Is It Dangerous?

A work zone refers to a designated area on a highway or street where construction is happening. These zones often have designated speed limits and specific laws in place to protect workers and keep drivers safe.

According to recent data, there were around 857 deaths in the United States in 2020 due to unsafe driving in a construction zone. Driving through these zones comes with inherent risks that can make them more dangerous for drivers and workers alike. From sudden lane shifts to unexpected stops, one wrong move could result in a car collision. 

What Is the Minimum Following Distance in A Work Zone?

The general rule of thumb when driving is to give yourself a 3-second gap between your car and the car in front of you. This gives you enough time to react in the event of a sudden stop or an object in the road. 

However, the minimum following distance in a construction work zone increases to 5 seconds. This adjustment is intended to encourage defensive driving and give drivers more time to react in the event of a collision, as construction zones can be filled with potential hazards. 

Why Maintaining Distance Matters: Legal and Safety Implications

One of the most common types of car accidents in a construction zone is rear-end collisions, which are more often than not caused by tailgating. Following too close behind a car in front of you means you have less time to react if they brake or swerve—and if you don’t respond in time, you could hit them.

In the event of a rear-end collision, Arizona car accident claims often pin liability onto the car behind, usually because they were tailgating. If you’re too close to the car in front of you and get into an accident, it can greatly reduce your chances of receiving financial compensation for the damages. 

Tips to Maintain Safety in A Work Zone

To safely drive through a work zone and keep yourself and others safe, you need to pay extra attention to your surroundings. Safe driving habits can prevent serious accidents while keeping traffic moving smoothly. 

Here are some basic safety tips you can practice when driving in a construction zone:

• Slow Down and Stay Alert: The speed limit in a construction zone is lower than the standard speed for that road. This is to keep workers safe and reduce the risk of accidents. Pay attention to posted speed limit signs and slow down. 
• Turn Off Distractions: To help stay more alert and aware of your surroundings, put any and all distractions out of arm’s reach. If possible, don’t mess with the radio, look at your phone, or do anything else that takes your attention off the road in front of you. 
• Leave Room for Merging: Sometimes, construction leads to sudden lane closures or obstacles in the road, and cars need to merge out of the way. For this reason, be sure to leave room around your car to allow yourself and others to merge safely without cutting someone off. 
• Watch for Flaggers: Construction sites often have designated workers who direct traffic and signal obstacles or other workers. Keep an eye out for these individuals and follow their instructions to keep traffic moving. 
• Adjust Following Distance for the Road/Weather: While the general rule of thumb is to keep a following distance of 3 seconds, consider the condition of the road and the current weather. If it’s rainy or the road is bumpy, make that following distance a little longer so you have time to react. 

What to Do After A Work Zone Accident

1. Get Somewhere Safe: If the accident occurs in the middle of the flow of traffic and it is safe to move, carefully move your car onto the shoulder or a nearby space that’s out of the way.
2. Dial 911: Once you’re safe, call emergency services and report the accident. They will send law enforcement and medical personnel to your location. 
3. Seek Urgent Medical Attention: When help arrives, get yourself looked over by a medical professional as soon as you’re able to. They can check for any hidden injuries and give you medical records of your injuries.
4. Gather Evidence: Collect whatever evidence you can of the accident. This can include photos of your car and injuries, as well as videos of the scene and any tire marks on the road. 
5. File a Police Report: Work with the police officer on the scene and file a formal police report. Stick with the facts of what happened, and don’t try to point fingers or cast blame on anyone. 
6. Contact a Work Zone Accident Attorney: Get in touch with the car accident attorneys at Shapiro Law Team. We’ll help build your case and earn you the compensation you deserve. 

Protect Yourself and Others in Construction Zones

Responsible driving habits in a construction zone ensure you and everyone around you get home safely at the end of the day. 

Whether it’s road construction or traffic from a nearby construction project, a proper following distance gives you time to react in the event of sudden stops while allowing other drivers to safely merge if necessary.

If you’ve been injured in a construction zone accident, Shapiro Law Team is here to help. Our team of certified lawyers knows the ins and outs of Arizona’s legal system, and we’ll fight alongside you for the justice and compensation you deserve. We handle truck, car, and motorcycle accidents throughout Phoenix.

Give us a call today or visit our website to schedule a free consultation with one of our attorneys.