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Preparing for the broken road ahead

Icy roads and whiteouts tend to torment the winter driver, but as every professional driver knows, warmer weather won’t solve all your problems. When the snow melts, winter hazards give way to spring hazards – the assorted threats and obstacles of the construction season. It starts the same way every year: armies of orange pylons begin to take over the shoulders; plastic fencing rolls out into traffic; ditches and dips in the asphalt force vehicles to squeeze into narrower lanes. All of these messy sights and sounds form the perfect distraction, one that will annoy even the most patient driver.

While the construction season is necessary to maintain our roads, it can pose a significant danger to those who use them. In Ontario alone, there were 1,694 collisions in construction zones in 2013. Of those, seven collisions caused the deaths of eight people, and another 341 collisions involved injuries, according to data from the Ontario Ministry of Transportation. Given that thousands of construction zones pop up across Canada and the US each year, it’s no wonder that the amount of fatalities and injuries skyrocket in certain areas during the spring and summer seasons.

Weather conditions aren’t always to blame for construction zone mishaps. In fact, the vast majority of accidents happen under clear skies. So if weather isn’t the issue, what are the main causes of construction zone calamities?

Why construction zones put trucks in danger
The five areas of a construction zone – advance warning area, transition area, buffer area, activity area and termination area – each pose a hazard to vehicles, but most crashes occur in the activity area, where the work is actually taking place. Bright signage and warning signals will slow things down, but when big vehicles are forced into narrowing lanes, while cars jostle for position in the snaking traffic, the risk of collision suddenly increases.

And while transition zones, lower posted speed limits and higher fines are designed to give drivers the time, space and motivation they need to handle the hazards, it’s not always enough. Slow-moving equipment, disappearing lanes and general impatience combine to steer a driver’s attention away from the task at hand.

Delivery promises can push drivers to adopt bad habits in construction zones. Whether you tend to speed up to get in front of traffic in the transition zone, or you accelerate quickly in the termination area to make up for lost time, hasty actions can have serious consequences. Of course, your good driving habits won’t guarantee a smooth trip – you’ll need to watch out for other reckless drivers, too.

Navigating the new terrain
In construction zones, you must heighten your awareness. Good communication, thorough planning and deliberate action will help you sidestep problems before they can trip you up. Drivers and dispatchers can help each other stay up-to-date on changes, leaving everyone better prepared for obstacles and in good form to take any necessary evasive maneuvers.

Good planning begins with the dispatch department, who should circulate vital information as often as necessary. You can plan your route with the help of government hotlines, and track last-minute repairs and emergency projects with traffic reports and CB radio. Ontario’s Ministry of Transportation offers information about ongoing construction projects and road and highway conditions on highways maintained by the province. You can find this information at www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/traveller/trip (English) and www.mto.gov.on.ca/french/traveller/trip (French). (Editor’s note: This information is also available on the PMTC website – click on “Right-Route Road Alerts.”) Information about US projects can be found through the US Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration at www.fhwa.dot.gov/trafficinfo.

A driver’s perspective puts you at a distinct advantage when on the road, since you sit high in the cab and can survey the surroundings fairly easily. Use this viewpoint to spot potential problems around construction zones, and be sure to check the mirrors often to manage space when things get tight. Now’s the time for you to tap into your defensive driving arsenal: be sure to leave extra space in front, keep a close eye on your back, start your stop at the first sight of a construction zone sign, and always have an escape route in mind.

It’s easy to let your guard down when the weather improves, but no driver is immune to steep financial penalties, collisions or serious injuries when they throw caution to the wind. Even experienced professional drivers can find themselves in sticky situations around construction zones, especially when it comes to speeding: fines in active work areas are typically much higher than those imposed on other stretches of highway, and those numbers can double when there are workers present.

Staying safe outside the cab
Drivers face many risks, but construction workers have their own challenges. If you work alongside heavy vehicles in a construction zone, you’re at an alarmingly high risk of injury.

Fortunately, you’re not at the mercy of every heavy vehicle around you. Stay visible by wearing reflective clothing, and take an extra moment to glance around inside, outside and around vehicles. Keep in mind that you can stop far more easily than heavy equipment can. An extra look and careful pause can save a life – perhaps your own.

Construction season may be annoying, but it’s certainly not boring. You’ll have plenty to keep your mind and body busy, and it’s up to you to prepare for the tasks ahead. Think back to last spring and brainstorm potential problems now, so you and your fellow drivers can stay one step ahead of construction hazards when the warmer weather arrives.

Northbridge Insurance is a trademark of Northbridge Financial Corporation, used under license. This article is provided for information only and is not a substitute for professional advice. We make no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information and will not be responsible for any loss arising out of reliance on
the information.

This month’s expert is Scott Creighton, Director, Risk Services, Transportation & Logistics, Northbridge Insurance. Scott has served the trucking industry for over 27 years as a driver, safety manager, and in loss control and risk management services as well. Northbridge Insurance® is a leading Canadian commercial insurer built on the strength of four companies with a long standing history in the marketplace and has been serving the trucking industry for more than 60 years. Visit us at www.nbins.com.

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