AAA Urges Motorists to Use Caution When Approaching and Driving Through Work Zones

AAA Urges Motorists to Use Caution When Approaching and Driving Through Work
Zones
Increased funding for transportation projects means drivers can expect
increased road and bridge construction activity during this year's summer
driving season

WASHINGTON, July 8 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As the summer driving season
kicks into full gear, AAA, the nation's largest motoring organization, urges
motorists to use caution and practice safe driving habits when approaching and
driving through work zones. In light of the enactment of the American Recovery
and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009, which included $27 billion for states and
localities to repair and build highways, roads and bridges, Americans
preparing for summer road trips should expect to encounter greater numbers of
work zones and construction activity.

"Given the backlog of transportation needs across the country, AAA advocated
dedicating a portion of the economic recovery funds to transportation," said
AAA President and CEO Robert L. Darbelnet. "It's important for the driving
public to be aware of the increased construction activity and to adjust to
changing driving conditions and work zones when they encounter them,
especially during this peak travel period," added Darbelnet.

According to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), motorists can expect
to encounter an active work zone one out of every 100 miles on the National
Highway System. In 2007, 835 people were killed nationally in work zone motor
vehicle crashes. It's estimated that nearly four out of every five people
injured or killed in work zone crashes are motorists, not roadway construction
workers.

AAA offers the following work zone safety tips to motorists:

Plan Ahead -- Motorists are encouraged to check for planned work zone delays,
traffic advisories and allot extra travel time prior to departing for their
trip. Free to all travelers, the AAA TripTik(R) Travel Planner online mapping
tool, available at AAA.com, provides motorists with the latest road
construction and traffic congestion information and motorists can plan and
select alternative travel routes to their destinations.

Stay Alert -- Motorists should obey the directions of any police officer,
firefighter or road crew flagger and follow any posted work zone advisories
and signage. Temporary work zone signs are orange and nearly always
diamond-shaped. As with any driving situation, minimize interior and exterior
distractions. Construction zones may contain unusual vehicles or machinery
that can divert a driver's attention. Drivers should be prepared to stop, slow
down, shift lanes and yield to the movement of construction workers and
equipment. Motorists should not turn off their vehicles when stopped on the
roadway unless they will be idling for a significant period of time.

Reduce Speed -- For the safety of all drivers and construction workers, normal
posted speed limits are almost always reduced in work zones. Most states
double fines for speeding in work zones when workers are present. Motorists,
while keeping consistent with the flow of traffic, should maintain a safe
distance between vehicles ahead, traffic barriers and construction workers and
equipment.

As North America's largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA
provides more than 51 million members with travel, insurance, financial and
automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1902, the not-for-profit,
fully tax-paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and
security of all travelers. AAA clubs can be visited on the Internet at
AAA.com.

AAA news releases, high resolution images, broadcast-quality video, fact
sheets and podcasts are available on the AAA NewsRoom at AAA.com/news.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080226/DC15031LOGO)

Available Topic Expert(s): For information on the listed expert(s), click
appropriate link.
Christie Hyde
https://profnet.prnewswire.com/Subscriber/ExpertProfile.aspx?ei=64864
Troy Green
https://profnet.prnewswire.com/Subscriber/ExpertProfile.aspx?ei=68903

SOURCE AAA

Troy Green, +1-202-942-2082, tgreen@national.aaa.com, or Christie Hyde,
+1-407-444-8003, chyde@national.aaa.com, both of AAA