Yes, it’s that time of year again, winter arrives officially this weekend. The weather reports are full of white stuff, and the frosty temperatures are here. Now is the time to ensure you are extra vigilant and aware of your surroundings at intersections, crosswalks and in construction areas as you travel the roads in York Region.
Snow and ice wreak havoc on the traveling public, but disasters are largely preventable. If poor weather is forecast, plan ahead and leave plenty of time to get to your destination. Better yet, postpone unnecessary trips until the weather has improved. As always we encourage you to try transit in bad weather days, but if you are driving, keep your vehicle tuned up and be especially aware of your tire condition. Snow tires are the best bet in the winter months, but regardless of tire type, be sure to check pressures and tread wear regularly.
The bottom line is that winter is a Canadian fact and we can’t change the weather. All we can do is prepare for it and understand the inherent hazards.
Here are some safety tips to help navigate construction zones in the winter safely:
- Obey the speed limit – You should be careful to obey the speed limit in construction zones, as many will be lower than normal.
- Keep on the lookout for construction workers – One of the main reasons that construction zones can be so dangerous is that there are often people working on the side of the road. You will want to be very careful when you drive and try to be aware of any workers.
- Watch for lane changes – Often in construction zones, the lanes move differently than normal. Especially at night, in bad weather, or when it is difficult to see, pay attention to where your lane goes.
- Be especially careful if there is no shoulder – A lot of times, construction forces the closure of the shoulder.
Remember to always be aware of road conditions and those who are working in these zones. As you pass through the vivaNext projects, we know that our construction disrupts the life of pedestrians, transit riders and drivers, and we do everything we can to keep that to a minimum.
We hope that as you pass by our construction areas you’ll keep safety in mind! Travel safe!