Drivers should be especially cautious of construction zones this summer. States are making a concentrated effort to raise the awareness of the dangers in these zones.

Here are some safety tips you can share with your drivers regarding construction zones:

• SLOW DOWN and be alert when approaching a “construction zone.” Get into the correct lane well in advance. Where traffic is merging into a single lane, be cautious of other motorists racing to get ahead of slowing traffic.
• Get OFF the phone…. even hands free/bluetooth phones are distracting your ability to safely operate your truck
• PAY ATTENTION to what those orange and black warning signs are telling you to do.
• BE ALERT for the actions of other drivers.
• PAY CLOSE ATTENTION to construction equipment and workers. You never know their next move, so be prepared to stop.
• WATCH SPEED LIMITS and don’t tailgate. Double your following distance. Rear-end collisions are the most common kind of construction zone accident.
• WATCH FOR CONSTRUCTION VEHICLES entering and exiting the road in or near the construction area, as they are probably to enter and exit at slower speeds than other traffic.
• TURN YOUR HEADLIGHTS ON as you approach a work-zone, alerting both the construction workers and other traffic around you of your presence.
• GIVE CONSTRUCTION WORKERS A BRAKE