How to deal with roadworks during your drive
It doesn’t matter whether you are driving a short distance or setting off on a road trip, roadworks seem to be everywhere! You can barely drive across town sometimes without coming across some sort of roadworks project.
Drivers need to take extra care when driving through roadworks to ensure that everyone in the car remains safe, as well as the road workers who can be working very close to traffic that is zooming past. Paying attention and following directions as you approach and pass roadworks is important and you can be fined for disregarding these directives – roadwork signs are legal signs and you must follow them.
So when driving through an area with roadworks, always move safely into the indicated lanes, reduce your speed to the posted speed, keep an eye open for road workers and follow their directions. Don’t forget to watch the cars in front in case they stop suddenly and maintain a safe stopping distance as well.
Roadwork signs
Generally, you will see at least two of the following signs at roadworks, maybe all four depending on the type of work that is being performed.
- Reduce speed 1: This signs tells you to slow down to the indicated speed, because roadworks are in operation and the driving conditions have changed.
- Reduce speed 2: The difference between this sign and the previous roadwork sign is that it will include an image of road workers, meaning that you need to slow down to the indicated speed and expect to see workers on the road within the next 500m.
- Prepare to stop: Usually posted after the first two road signs above, this sign lets you know that traffic controllers are actually on the road at the side of your lane and may require you to stop. You must follow their directions, because they could be telling you to stop, move into a diversionary lane or continue on.
- End roadwork: The sign that everyone is happy to see, means that the road works have ended and you can carry on at the normal posted speed.
Expected hazards around roadworks
Despite following the road signs or directions of traffic controllers, there are still plenty of hazards around roadworks, which is one reason why you are asked to slow down. These hazards can include loose gravel surfaces that can cause your car to lose traction and slide sideways or stones that can be thrown up into your windshield (another reason to slow down!).
Other hazards include narrowed lanes surrounded by hazard cones or even concrete barriers, temporary lane diversions or merges, removal of shoulders on the road and work vehicles and trucks entering or leaving the site.
Some people can become so turned around at complex road works that they are not sure of where to drive. In this case, just slow down even further than the posted limit and have a really good look around. You should start to see the correct path, once you have relaxed and taken a deep breath to calm your nerves!
It’s always a good idea to look ahead and read the traffic, so you can anticipate any lane changes or diversions ahead of time. You may also find that some cars will try to push ahead and merge in front of your car, but there’s no point in getting worked up and frustrated, just let them in and keep your eye on the road, looking for hazards. Impatience usually doesn’t get anyone to their destination faster, so let others overtake if they want, whilst you just focus on driving safely through the roadworks.
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