Repairing and maintaining the infrastructure that supports our mobility and comfort is a year-round job, and springtime is a powerful reminder of just how big a job this is. Even a mild winter can take a toll on everything from paved surfaces to power lines.

The return of warmer weather brings with it a proliferation of road building and repair projects, with construction crews and equipment visible along the country’s local streets and highways.

As the number of workers on roads and highways increases, the risk of crashes and fatalities also increases. The risks apply equally to drivers, passengers, bicyclists and pedestrians. It’s no surprise that a host of organizations, including the Federal Highway Administration, state Departments of Transportation and the American Road and Transportation Builders Association, sponsor National Work Zone Awareness Week in early April each year.

Construction zones have become a familiar sight on highways and in cities and towns across the country. These work zones are often hazardous for motorists and pedestrians trying to navigate them and for the workers who build, repair, and maintain our streets, bridges, and buildings. When construction or work sites have potentially dangerous conditions, it is important to alert motorists and pedestrians who are traveling nearby. Traffic signs are a vital tool for preventing accidents and injury, as well as ensuring the safety of the crews working in these hazardous, fast-paced environments.

For many of us, getting behind the wheel of a car is arguably the riskiest thing we do each day. And while the media is focused on the dangers of distracted driving, the truth is there are numerous factors that can increase or decrease the likelihood of getting into an accident.

More Accidents Happen After Dark
When it comes to driver safety, the time of day plays an important role. A National Highway Traffic Safety Administration study found that most accidents occur between 6 and 9 p.m. This is due in part to hazards that are compounded at night. According to statistics, instances of drunk driving and speeding increase significantly after dark, and fatigue, inclement weather, and diminished vision also can make it more dangerous to be on the road at night.

The approach often taken to improve traffic Safety has been to increase awareness of the reasons for traffic accidents and related fatalities. This approach is then enhanced by following up with personal education on traffic safety.

But there is another approach that is being adopted. This approach is to look at the way traffic moves within our road systems of the United States. This approach does not focus solely on the individual, but, on the dynamic of our traffic flow.

During the construction process, traffic patterns will be disrupted. This is due to a combination of temporary routes and detours. Traffic safety products are required to meet the requirements identified in Traffic Control Plans.

To help identify the different zones of a road construction site, barricades are used. There are many different barricades products. Below we cover popular alternative barricades used at a road construction site to manage detours and modified traffic patterns.

It seems we cannot take a drive down a highway or pass through a major city without seeing active construction projects. Seeing the final improvements when these projects are completed will be great. But what is even more important is that no one gets hurt. That is where protective construction worker gear comes in.

Pedestrian crosswalk signs are critical for safety in road construction zones and permanent pedestrian crosswalks.

With the increase of pedestrians walking  rather than driving to their destination, all actions must be taken to increase public safety.

Planning is critical for maintaining safety for the public and the workers before, during and after road construction. Traffic Control Plans and Internal Traffic Control Plans will be necessary, and often required. This planning process will highlight the need for traffic safety products.

Common sense must prevail over our knee-jerk reaction to respond to a text, email or phone call from work.

We are in an era where we seem to be constantly connected to our work through our phone and other mobile devices. Companies may even pay for all or part of the expense of our communications services. In turn, when a call or message comes into us, we feel some obligation to answer it, anywhere and everywhere. This can be a horrible decision.