Sharing the Road with Trucks • 3 classifications of trucks. • Light, medium and heavy
Big Trucks • Keep a larger space
cushion following a truck so you can see better.
• Large trucks make wide right turns.
• Stay out of the no-zone.
No Zone
Funerals • The following vehicles may cross cautiously without
stopping. The funeral procession has the right of way.
Construction Season
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Unfortunately, there are lots of crashes (note: we use the term “crashes” because these events are preventable, whereas accidents are not!) in work zones. Workers and motorists may get injured or sometimes killed. There may be hazards around, or conditions we are not familiar with. Work zones require our complete attention as motorists.
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Before showing this slide: Ask the question, “What do you think is the cause of most of these work zone crashes”. Give the students a chance to respond. The motorist is to blame for most work zone crashes.
• Risk of injury is 66% greater for highway workers
• Risk of death is 7 times higher for highway workers than the average worker
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The people working on our highways and bridges work in a very dangerous profession.
• Highway construction is now one of the most hazardous occupations in the United States, surpassing… –Law Enforcement –Fire Fighting
ROAD WORK AHEAD
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Why? Highway workers may be exposed to danger: moving traffic! Motorists that do not pay attention and/or speed through the work zone. This may result in dangerous working conditions.
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The problem even made the paper and the television news! This affects all of us!
Speeding fines in work zones are high, usually doubled!
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Don’t speed! Speed kills! Obey all posted speed signs. NOTE TO INSTRUCTOR: Illinois has proposed increasing fines above the present $200 minimum.
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THINGS TO THINK ABOUT Don’t drive like you own the road A person’s average reaction time is 3/4 of a second Work zones aren’t there to inconvenience you, they are there to improve the road Everyone is entitled to a safe workplace and the roadways are the road workers work place Road work is a necessary fact of life, speeding through a work zone to save time is not worth the risk Traffic crashes are caused by our driving habits Don’t take other drivers mistakes personal Frustration, anger, and impatience are dangerous behaviors in the work zone. CONSIDER THE CONSEQUENCES OF A CRASH IN A WORK ZONE Your car insurance costs go sky high You have to repair or replace your car, if your parents let you Your drivers license is suspended or totally revoked Injury or death to yourself, friend, your loved ones, or road workers
1 - Following Too Closely 2 - Reckless Driving - Speeding 3 - Failure to Yield Right of Way 4 - Failure to Maintain Control 5 - Improper Lane Change
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Can any of you relate to any of these 5 offenses? You should never commit any of these offenses while driving and especially in a construction work zone.
The time saved just isn’t worth the risk!
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Stay in your lane through work zones. Lane changing may lead to erratic maneuvers, which may lead to crashes. Studies show that every time you change your lane, you increase your chances of being involved in a crash.
Unexpected stops frequently occur in work zones
Their direction will get you through the work zone operation safely
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Flaggers are there to guide you, but they are vulnerable,very vulnerable. Help them do their job safely. If you encounter a flagger, be safe and courteous. The flagger is looking after your safety. If you see a sign of a “Flagger Ahead”, the next thing you should see is the FLAGGER, so be on the lookout for them.
A work zone can change since your last trip through it.
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Work zones change frequently. Never assume the conditions are the same from the previous day or for that matter morning to afternoon.
SLOW DOWN AND GIVE’EM A BRAKE
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Remember how dangerous highway construction is? Look for workers and watch for their safety.
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Scott’s law was enacted by the Illinois General Assembly to aid in protecting emergency workers, police, and highway workers. The law requires that motorist must move over or slow down for stopped emergency or maintenance vehicles.