While we’re sure that truck drivers have faced their fair share of road construction this year, it doesn’t hurt to share some reminders of how to safely navigate through work zones. Crashes in work zones are both tragic and entirely preventable. With that in mind, we’ll be sharing construction work zone statistics and safety tips.
Construction Work Zone Statistics
- In the US, one work zone fatality occurs for every 4 billion vehicles-miles of travel.
- Nearly 115,000 crashes occurred in work zones with 38,900 injuries in 2019.
- Between 2018 and 2019, fatal crashes in work zones increased by 11 percent.
- About one quarter of all fatal work zones crashes involved rear-end collisions.
- Large trucks were involved in one-third of all fatal crashes in 2019.
Construction Work Zone Safety Tips
- Expect the unexpected – Stopped traffic, lane changes, bumpy surfaces… You never really know what to expect in a work zone. As a result, you should keep the mindset of “expect the unexpected” when entering a work zone.
- Slow down and be alert – Since you don’t know what to expect, you should be extra cautious. This means slow down and be alert. Whenever encountering a work zone, you should keep an eye out for diamond-shaped orange signs. These signs will likely give you an idea of what’s to come and how to navigate going forward.
- Obey road flaggers – In addition to signs, you may also come across a road flagger. A road flagger has the same authority as a regulatory sign, so you’ll need to obey their directions.
- Be patient – Despite how inconvenient the road work may be, you need to be patient. It helps to think about the “big picture” when it comes to construction. Once it’s done, you’ll have a new and improved route.
- Drive defensively – Like we said, rear-end accidents are one of the most common crashes in work zones. The best way to prevent a rear-end collision is to leave plenty of space in between your truck and the car in front of you. Don’t forget that large trucks need to have additional space to allow for safe braking distances.
- Plan for delays – It’s not uncommon to get stopped while in a construction zone. Truck drivers should expect delays along their routes. If you want to avoid work zones, we suggest researching your route and taking detours to avoid them entirely.
Closing Thoughts
We get it — Construction can be annoying, but nothing beats a freshly paved, wide roadway, right? Just be patient, cautious, and alert while traveling! For more driving tips and industry blogs, visit our website at www.liquidtrucking.com.
Liquid Trucking is a lead bulk liquid hauler in the US. We transport liquid materials for the food, hazmat, and agricultural industries. Give us a call at 844-GO-TANKS to get a quote today!