With summertime comes sunshine and more time outdoors, a lighter, more relaxed attitude, trips to the beach, the lake, the river, the park, and of course, lots of road construction. I am currently living in the middle of a project that adds anywhere from 10 to 20 minutes to my commute - and that's just driving the mile to get out of my neighborhood.  

A new overpass is being built and it will be a tremendous help to the area when completed (sometime next year), but in the meantime, the impact on some of the local streets can be a real nuisance. We never know which area they will be working on, so the one non-short-cut-but-possibly-circumvent-some-of-the-mess way out may work one day but not the next, leaving us to pass by anywhere from one to three flaggers, 15 heavy earth movers, several dump trucks (traveling in and out) and a varied assortment of workers and other equipment.

Regardless of where you are, road construction seems to be here to stay. The best thing to do is avoid it, if at all possible, but if not, then be aware, because not only does it delay traffic, but accidents become that much more likely.  

1.   Pay attention to the signage; it's there to provide you with information.

2.   Obey the posted speed limits. Not only have traffic fines doubled if you are ticketed for excessive speed in a construction zone, but it's a safety issue for everyone around you.  

3.   Flaggers are trained to direct traffic safely through the work zones; they are more aware of things happening further down the way than you may be, so obey their directions. They are also people standing on the road, hoping that the vehicles passing by will not hit them; many have had to take evasive action to avoid being run over by someone not paying attention.  

4.   Keep a safe distance between your vehicle and the one in front, as well as any traffic barriers, construction equipment, and workers. Pay attention when driving on uneven pavement or near drop-offs so you don't become a road hold-up yourself.  

5.   Avoid distractions. While I know you are not talking on your cell phone or texting while driving, things like changing the stereo, making adjustments to your navigation system, or eating that sandwich should also wait until you have cleared the area.  

6.   Expect the unexpected. You never know when a construction worker will walk in front of your car (this has happened to me three times!), another driver may do something erratic, or a truck may enter the roadway.  

7.   Most importantly, be patient. Road improvement is a constant, on-going thing and the work is done to benefit us in the long run.