Road Construction Survival

In a recent local newspaper article, the top five up-and-coming career fields were identified. Mixed in among alternative energy and healthcare fields was an interesting bedfellow...road construction. This doesn't necessarily mean that parents should start looking for colleges that offer degrees in asphalt technology, but it would seem an inordinate amount of "stimulus money" is being pumped into the nations roadways, and Illinois is leading the way by being one of the top states in the nation for implementation of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. According to Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) data, Illinois ranks first among all states in the total expenditure of ARRA funds. To date, expenditures of ARRA funds in Illinois total $170,605,614.00 which is nearly triple the expenditures of the next highest state.

It seems you can't drive 5 miles in any direction without running into a construction project. Some are more extensive than others, but any time there's roadwork there are hazards involved...lane reductions, construction equipment, traffic backups, and uneven road surfaces to name a few. It's important for drivers to employ some basic defensive driving techniques to avoid potentially dangerous situations.

First and foremost...accept the fact that construction is everywhere. If you are on a strict schedule, leave extra time. Never assume there will be NO traffic, especially on weekends or late nights, when lane closures are fairly common.

SLOW DOWN! Speeding in construction zones is illegal, and the fines are severe. But beyond that, the reason for reduced speeds is to assure drivers are in control. Besides compromised road conditions, there may be construction equipment, trucks, and even workers on or near the roadway. Slowing down allows drivers to recognize and react to these hazards.

Increase following distances. This is one of the most underrated defensive driving strategies and possibly the most misunderstood. In addition to more room to react, increased following distance offers a better field of vision, which allows drivers to see and react to hazards earlier. The common argument against increased distance is that it leaves opportunity for others to insert themselves into this space, thus "theoretically" pushing the driver further back. But in reality, allowing ten cars to pull in front will likely have an overall effect on travel time of less than a minute.

Expect the unexpected. There are so many things happening in a work zone that it can be difficult to prepare for ALL hazards. It is estimated that under normal driving conditions we are confronted with dozens of decisions for each mile driven. These numbers increase significantly in construction zones.

Be the better person. We've all experienced the frustration of watching someone trying to sneak ahead of a long line of traffic. There is no way to rationalize this selfishness, but getting angry or aggressive will only increase the likelihood of an accident. There is also the possibility that the offending driver might be - shall we say - unstable. Control your emotions and give way. It's the safer option.

Drive defensively, and take your time. Put on a relaxing radio station, and enjoy the ride. Chances are it will be a long one.