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Texas leads the nation in the number of fatalities and injuries in highway construction work zones. However, the construction sites themselves aren't necessarily the cause. In Texas, contributing factors include a longer construction season and more highways under construction at any given time. Also, in a majority of cases, driver inattention and carelessness within construction sites contribute significantly to safety problems. Visibility and a driver's ability to easily detect upcoming work zones are critical safety issues. The sooner drivers become aware of highway construction sites, the sooner they can maneuver safely through them.
- Traffic accidents - not volume - account for as much as 60 percent of all traffic delays.
- For every minute an accident remains in a lane, traffic is delayed for an average of five additional minutes.
- The longer traffic is delayed, the more likely that secondary and more serious incidents will occur.
- Even a fender bender or flat tire that only takes 10 minutes to clear can delay traffic for an entire hour. When this happens in construction zones, it leads to more congestion, more frustration, and longer commute times.
Texas Accident Help Center - Construction Zone Safety Tips
- Stay alert and give full attention to the roadway.
- Pay close attention to signs and work zone flaggers.
- Turn on headlights so workers and other drivers can see your vehicle.
- Do not tailgate - leave plenty of room for those sudden stops.
- Do not speed. Slow down to the posted speed limits.
- Keep up with the traffic flow.
- Do not change lanes in work zones.
- Minimize distractions in vehicles. Avoid changing radio stations and using
cell phones.
- Expect the unexpected.
- Keep an eye on workers and their equipment.
- Be patient. Remember work zones are necessary to improve roads and make them safer.
Texas Accident Help Center - Minor Accidents in Construction Zones
One of the biggest frustrations for drivers is sitting in a traffic jam and then seeing that the traffic tangle was caused by a fender bender not moved off the roadway. It may make you feel better to know that this is actually illegal in Colorado and many other states. There is a little known law (Colorado Revised Statues 42-4-1602) that says motorists involved in minor accidents on divided highways must move their vehicles off the road if possible. Do this only if the vehicle is drivable, no drugs or alcohol are involved, and there are no injuries.
If you are involved in an accident on the highway:
- Assess the situation.
- Injuries? Stay put, and call 911 immediately.
- Determine if vehicles are drivable.
- Determine if drugs or alcohol are involved.
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Move your car to a safe place.
- If your car is drivable, move it to the shoulder, an emergency pullout, or off-ramp shoulder.
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Call 911.
- Notify the 911 operator of your accident and location.
- TIP: I-25 has painted mile markers on the concrete median barriers in the construction zones.
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Exchange information.
- Name, address, phone number, driver's license number, license plate number, vehicle make, model, year, color, insurance carrier and policy number.
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Report the accident.
- Report the accident as required by law enforcement and your insurance provider.
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