When the summertime rolls around in Ohio, construction crews hit the roadways. The warm weather allows for the building of new infrastructure and the repair and maintenance of older structures. As a driver on the roadway, it’s important to do your part to protect the safety of both your vehicle and the construction workers alongside the roadway.
Slow it down
One of the biggest causes of auto accidents near construction sites is speeding. As soon as you see construction signs warning you of upcoming stops, it is important to slow down. When you’ve slowed down, you can stop quickly in the event of an emergency. Maintaining a slow speed also helps alert other drivers on the road of the construction that is happening ahead.
Always leave space between your car and the driver in front of you
It’s not uncommon for vehicles to clump together when near a construction site. Many times, drivers will pull up right behind the bumper of the car in front of them. You don’t want to fall into doing this as it decreases your ability to stop quickly as well as see what’s going on in front of you. It’s best to leave a distance equal to the length of a car in between your front bumper and that of the rear bumper of the vehicle in front of you.
Turn your headlights on
One very important aspect of driving through a construction zone is having your headlights turned on. Headlights help make you more visible to not only construction workers but other drivers on the road. Your headlights should remain on from the time you enter the construction zone until you leave it.
Drivers need to become more aware of the roadways on which they travel during the spring and summer months when construction is resuming. If you know that there’s going to be construction in a particular area, it’s always advisable that you try to avoid it. If you cannot avoid the construction area, then be sure to use these safety tips to help reduce your chances of being involved in an accident.