You may have gotten a late start to your day, rushing out of the door, stepping on the gas, and maybe following a car too closely causing you to miss a sign that reads "CAUTION: Workers Ahead." Sadly, this is one of the main reasons why work zone accidents occur.

Highway work zones have been a safety focus for years as government agencies, highway industries, construction crews, highway workers, and even motorists remain concerned about highway work zone safety.

Work zone crashes in Georgia produce injuries and fatalities for motorists as well as highway workers. Although cars cause their share of work zone safety crashes, large commercial trucks and light-duty vehicles are typically involved in the fatal and serious injury accidents.

The common causes of these Atlanta auto accidents in work zones include:

  • Speeding
  • Following too closely
  • Disregard for traffic control
  • Drinking and driving
  • Poor light conditions
  • Poorly laid out roads

Even distracted driving has led to many work zone accidents in Atlanta, as drivers may be waiting in a long line of cars due to the road construction and not giving their attention to the road. Once the traffic starts moving, drivers may be still distracted and not closely watching the road.

Although work zone accidents produce injuries and fatalities for construction workers, about 85% of the people killed in work zone accidents are the drivers and passengers in the vehicles.

Here are ten things you can do to avoid work zone accidents in Georgia:

  1. Travel the speed limit, especially in construction zones
  2. Don't tailgate other drivers
  3. Stay alert in a construction zone 
  4. Expect the unexpected
  5. Stay calm
  6. Stay clear of workers and large equipment 
  7. Turn your music and radio off so that you can hear warning sounds when traveling through construction work zones
  8. Don't use your cell phone
  9. Pay attention to the posted signs in and around work zones
  10. Don't ignore a flagger's directions

By doing your part to stay safe, you are also keeping road workers, construction crews, and utility workers safe while they are working on the roads. Accidents in Atlanta are always going to occur no matter how safe you are. If you or any of your family members have been injured in an Atlanta auto accident, call The Dover Law Firm at 1.770.518.1133 today, and schedule your free legal consultation with our Atlanta car accident lawyers.

Also, make sure to request our FREE book, 4 Common Mistakes that Will Ruin Your Georgia Car or Truck Claim.