Truck Drivers Offer Advice On Driving In Construction Zones

ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 1 -- Forget that stuff about the arrival of the first robins and daffodils. If you're a professional truck driver, there is no such season as Spring. They recognize just two seasons. One is Winter. The other is "Construction". And, as do all other motorists, they know the latter is here when those long lines of orange barrels, constricting rows of concrete walls, and diamond-shaped "Road Work Ahead" signs start popping up all along the highways and byways we travel every day. Across the U.S., the arrival of April -- and warmer weather -- generally kicks off highway construction season. With it comes increased traffic congestion and the temptation by far too many drivers to take unnecessary and unsafe chances behind the wheel. To help them safely navigate the soon to be thousands of work zones, the American Trucking Associations' (ATA) Road Team, an elite group of truck drivers, offers its common sense advice gathered from driving millions of accident-free miles.

* Double your usual following distance. Without it, you won't have time to safely react to warnings or hazards, like debris or potholes that suddenly pop out from under the vehicle ahead.

* Get into the correct lane well in advance.

* Where traffic is merging into a single lane, be extremely cautious of cars racing to get ahead of slowing traffic. Truck drivers call these unsafe motorists "zippers", after the way they zip in and out of slowing traffic, endangering other motorists who are obeying the work zone signs.

* Pay close attention to operating construction equipment while in a work zone. You never know their next move so be ready to stop.

* Remember that most work zone traffic lanes are narrow and don't have shoulders or emergency lanes due to the use of barrels and concrete barricades.

* Where a temporary median crossover is used, drivers beware: uneven or sloped road surfaces can dramatically affect handling and stability.

* Drivers should report an absence of signs, or poor signage, to the appropriate highway department.

The Road Team experts add that "zippers" likely never think of how they are endangering themselves, their families, or other motorists when they cut quickly in front of a large truck at a work zone merge site, and then suddenly have to slow down. It is perhaps the most dangerous traffic offense they could commit. This type of behavior in a cramped construction site endangers not only truck and car drivers, but highway workers as well. "In a work zone, patience behind the wheel has to be priority one," says William Canary, ATA President and CEO. "Sooner or later, the work zones and traffic jams are going to end, so a split second burst of aggressive driving in a cramped construction zone just isn't worth the often-tragic consequences." The ATA truck drivers also have a few suggestions for highway construction crews that might improve cooperation from motorists. To the extent possible, work zone signage should tell drivers what is going on and what is expected of them. This adds credibility to the warnings, hopefully leading drivers to believe -- and obey -- the signs. In addition, the professional truck drivers recommend that construction crews alert drivers to a work zone at least two or three miles before they begin. This prevents many last-minute merger problems and allows drivers enough time to get into proper lanes at proper speeds. "Our highways will be the workplace for both truck drivers and construction workers for the next several months," said ATA's Canary. "We pledge to do what we can to make them safe for everyone."

America's Road Team Captains are available for work zone safe driving demonstrations. More highway safety information also available on http://www.truckline.com (click on Safety Net).