Work Zone Ahead: Reduce Speed

Nationally, 30% of all work zone fatality accidents involve excessive speed. Speed Measurement Laboratories Inc. (SML) conducted an analysis of four different work zones in Nebraska, Kansas, New Mexico, and Texas (one work zone in each state) to help officials learn how best to achieve reductions in vehicle speeds at work zones. The study found that speed reduction in approaching work zones is due to lane closure visibility and not speed limits. This also is true when no lane closure is present but the work zone is well marked in advance of the work-zone activity. The further away the notification, the better the speed reduction. People drive the speed they feel comfortable with regardless of the posted speed limit if enforcement is not present. When a motorist sees a work zone with a lane closure, they slow down out of self-preservation and not the speed limit. Next to having police officers in the work zone or radar speed trailers at the entry point, the best method of slowing work-zone traffic is visibility of the work zone.