Drive safe, drive smart through construction zones
- Published Aug. 24, 2010
When driving through a construction zone in Alberta, drivers will generally pass through three outer zones designed to create the safest possible conditions before entering the actual construction zone.
Three outer zones of a construction site
Zone One: An advanced warning area that tells traffic what to expect ahead.
Zone Two: A transition area that typically moves traffic out of its normal path and advises drivers to reduce speed and not pass other vehicles.
Zone Three: A buffer area that typically uses traffic cones and barricades that are meant to protect road workers and equipment, just before the work area begins.
With all this in place, it’s hard to believe that more than 900 collisions occur every year at roadway construction sites in Alberta. It seems some drivers don’t use good journey management and because of time, don’t want to slow down for construction zones. Some drivers even think it’s not risky to speed through a construction zone.
Did You Know?
Drivers must slow down to the posted speed limit
even if workers are not visible.
Find out more on keeping construction zone workers safe.
The risks of speeding in construction zones
- You risk a collision involving yourself and/or other road users.
- There can be workers on or near the road operating heavy equipment, working with hand tools on the ground or acting as flag persons. Road workers could also be hidden behind equipment, materials, etc.
- The faster you drive, the longer it will take to stop. Even when it seems that there is no activity in a construction zone, there may be other less obvious/hidden hazards such as fresh oil, loose gravel chips and uneven pavement.
Speeding through construction zones not only endanger lives, it could cost you more than $700 in double fines.
These conditions can be dangerous and cause damage to vehicles travelling at high rates of speed.
The fines
In Alberta, drivers convicted of speeding through construction zones (violating section 115(2)(p.2) or 115(2) (t) of the Traffic Safety Act) will be subject to double the fine.
When workers are present, fines for speeding in construction zones are doubled. Demerit points will also be applied to the driver’s record if convicted, but will not be doubled.
Double fines can range from $114 to $702. Be proactive, always use extra caution and be patient when encountering a construction zone.
Tips for Driving in Construction Zones
- Check road reports ahead of time and use an alternate route if possible.
- Construction or road maintenance zones will have roadway signs in advance to warn motorists that road work is being done.
- When approaching a construction zone, use extra caution and slow down where people are working on or near the road.
- Obey all directions by flag people. Treat flag people working on roads with respect, and remain calm if traffic is delayed.
- Be patient with construction speed limits and road markers.
- Obey all warning signs, traffic control devices and posted speed limits within the zone.
- Avoid changing lanes, look well ahead and be ready for sudden stops.
- Expect delays and be aware that your trip will take a little longer when travelling through construction zones.
- Be ready day or night as road construction can happen at any time and doesn’t just occur in the daytime hours.
- Vehicles ahead of you may stop unexpectedly, keep lots of space and be prepared to stop.
- Keep space between your vehicle and any equipment parked, or being operated, in these zones.
- If your lane is blocked and no one is directing traffic, yield to the traffic coming from the opposite direction. When the way is clear, move carefully around the obstacle. Remember that a construction zone is a place where drivers should anticipate unpredictable activity as well as unreliable road conditions.
