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The Dangers of South Florida’s Highway Construction Zones

You can see the traffic backing up as you enter the on-ramp. There’s no avoiding it – you and several thousand of your fellow commuters will be late due to highway construction again. The National Work Zone Safety Clearinghouse estimates that 10% of all road congestion is specifically due to construction, leading to 1.75 billion hours of vehicle delays[1]. While this is a tremendous inconvenience, the bigger issue with highway construction zones is that they are responsible for 102,000 vehicle crashes per year[2].

There are multiple causes of accidents in highway construction zones:

• There could be construction debris in the road, causing cars to swerve into the next lane and hit another vehicle in the process.
• Often the road surface is uneven and the driver could lose control of the car.
• Construction vehicles may be entering or exiting the road at a slower speed than the rest of the traffic, requiring drivers behind the construction vehicles to quickly brake hard, increasing the risk of a rear-end collision.
• Blocked lanes can cause extreme congestion, increasing the risk of road rage and rear-end collisions. Congestion also increases the likelihood of drivers following the car in front of them too closely.
• There may be inadequate warning signs for the construction, so drivers lack enough time to gradually slow down before the work zone.  Conversely, even with adequate signage, some drivers wait until the absolute last moment to slow down or switch lanes, putting the drivers behind them at risk for a rear-end collision.

Since it’s nearly impossible to avoid driving in construction zones in South Florida, what’s the best approach to do so safely?

• Minimize distractions – avoid eating or drinking, talking on the phone (even wirelessly), fiddling with the radio, or listening to excessively loud music.
• Follow all posted speed limits. The speed limit may drop by 20 miles per hour or more in a construction zone. Driving at a safe speed protects you if there are unexpected vehicles entering your lane and protects the construction workers.
• Leave space between you and the vehicle in front of you. This will give you time to react if the car in front of you unexpectedly slows down or stops.
• If you know there is construction along your route, allow extra time to reach your destination so you are not tempted to speed.

If you were seriously injured in a construction zone accident in South Florida that you feel was not your fault, contact ECanter Lawyers right away for a free case evaluation. We will listen to your case, review the police report, and investigate the accident scene. Based on our findings, we will advise you on how to proceed to recover the funds that you deserve to compensate you and your loved ones for your injuries.

ECanter Lawyers

When you are dealing with the chaos and pain of accidents and personal injuries, the last thing you need is technical, confusing legal language.  ECanter Lawyers breaks down the complexities and provides clear, informative answers so that you understand your legal options. 

For over two decades, ECanter Lawyers has remained committed to honest, straightforward answers.  Named one of AVVO’s Clients’ Choice, ECanter Lawyers has helped clients receive multi-million-dollar verdicts, and millions of dollars in settlements.  ECanter Lawyers specializes in personal injury, motor vehicle accidents, medical malpractice, premises and product liability, and healthcare law.

With offices conveniently located throughout South Florida and 24/7 services, ECanter Lawyers personal injury law firm offers you the personalized attention that you need in order to maximize your compensation. 

ECanter Lawyers

561-447-4500

Boca Raton | West Palm Beach | Coral Springs | Ft. Lauderdale | Miami

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[1] National Work Zone Safety Information Clearinghouse. Work Zone Data — Work Zone Safety Information Clearinghouse. Accessed April 27, 2022.

[2] National Work Zone Safety Information Clearinghouse. Work Zone Data — Work Zone Safety Information Clearinghouse. Accessed April 27, 2022.