When you’re driving, one inevitability no matter where you’re going is construction. Whether it’s just a stray traffic cone or a full-blown work zone, you need to stay safe. Check out our failproof tips for driving safely and obeying the law in a construction area!

First, expect the unexpected. Never assume that everyone is going to follow the rules or drive safely. This is why YOU should follow the rules and drive as safely as you have ever driven in your entire life.

Always pay attention. Not only will it help you to drive more safely if you do, but it’ll also help you notice signs, flaggers, and more. Pay attention specifically to the signs, because they’ll tell you speed limits and upcoming work areas. Flaggers are just as important as signs, though – if you ignore a flagger, you could face the same ticket that you’d get for ignoring a sign.

Merge as soon as you can instead of waiting until the last minute. Not only is waiting rude, especially if you use the closing lane to speed past others, but it can hold up traffic and you risk getting into an accident.

If you see that the speed limit is being reduced, slow down immediately. If you’re going 60mph, you’re moving about 88 feet per second. If you see a sign that says there’s a work zone in 1,500 feet, you’ll get to that work zone in about 17 seconds. So, go slow!

Tailgating is always a no-no. Does this even need to be said? Stay far away from the person in front of you. Space is safe!

Always stay in the center of your lane. This is part of paying attention – when you are focused, you won’t swerve in and out of your lane. If you can’t stay in your lane, you’re likely to hit cones, barriers, and even workers.

The work zone is not over until you see a sign that says it is. Even if there’s no work happening, you’re still subject to speed limits and fines until you see the sign that says the work zone has ended.