Work Zone Safety for CMV Drivers According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), an average of 700 work zone fatalities occur each year. Work zones create increased hazards for drivers due to construction workers’ proximity to moving traffic, dump trucks entering and exiting the area, flaggers redirecting traffic and lanes shifting unexpectedly. As such, to avoid costly and potentially deadly accidents, it’s important that drivers maintain work zone safety on the roadways. Driving Safely Through Work Zones There are a few measures CMV drivers should follow when navigating through work zones. These include: Paying attention Drivers should keep their eyes on the road at all times. In particular, it’s against the law to make hand-held phone calls while driving, according to FMCSA regulations. Drivers should also take note of, and abide by, any signage in work zones. Slowing down Drivers should automatically slow down when entering and driving through a work zone. This is especially important if construction workers are physically present. Slowing down within work zones can also allow drivers more reaction time in the event of an unexpected hazard. Moving over to open lanes Upon being notified of approaching work zones, drivers should move into open lanes early to safely distance themselves. Drivers should always check their blind spots before changing lanes to prevent potential accidents. Keeping a safe distance Drivers should maintain adequate distance between themselves and other vehicles to help minimize rear-end accidents while entering and exiting work zones. Promoting Defensive Driving To help promote defensive driving habits, employers should instruct their CMV drivers to always scan about 15 seconds ahead of them for possible road hazards. This will provide drivers with ample time to react to issues if they arise on the road.