I read this story yesterday and just had to write about it. In California, we have all seen the ads or the billboards that say “Slow for the Cone Zone.” The new electronic billboards say something to the effect of “Slow or Move Over for Slow Vehicles.” Apparently, the word is not getting out there.
Patch.com is reporting that the CHP is urging motorists to slow down. Why? Due to a series of accidents that have left CHP officers injured, Caltrans workers injured, and motorists injured. The story cites the numbers: “According to published reports, since September16 four incidents, all of which were preventable, resulted in injuries to 15persons” 15 injuries in 4 incidents is a lot!
So some safe driving tips for construction zones. First, slow down. This should be pretty easy, but a lot of people speed through construction zones. You don’t know when a truck may pull out off of the side of the road or a Caltrans truck my pull off the road. You need to slow down. Second, put the cell phone down. That should be a no-brainer. Third, move over, if possible, and if safe. If you approach a construction zone, or if you see a construction vehicle, a Caltrans vehicle or a CHP vehicle on the shoulder, move over one lane. Get out of the way.
These three tips will make it so that we have fewer accidents in the Cone Zone. Lets all be safe when we are driving and lets make sure we make it safe for our CHP officers and Caltrans workers, who put themselves in danger every day.