Fair Oaks Caltrans Project Ongoing
I’m Ed Smith, a Fair Oaks car accident lawyer. Phase two of a three-part Fair Oaks Caltrans project to revamp the Hazel Avenue corridor is underway this summer. The long-term project, the largest and most expensive at $20 million, will involve blocked lanes and slowed traffic. However, when it is completed, local residents should be pleased with the result.
Construction Details
The current Caltrans project runs from Sunset Boulevard to Curragh Downs, with future work planned to extend up to Madison Avenue. Tall walls to block traffic noise for local residents and removing the old power lines and poles and placing the power cables underground are part of the project. By the time it is completed, the six-lane road will have lanes for left turns and pull-outs for buses. It will also be equipped with sidewalks, bicycle lanes and center medians that can reduce the danger of car accidents, not only for motor vehicles but bicyclists and pedestrians.
Dangers of Construction Zone Accidents
Drivers are all familiar with the narrowed lanes, traffic cones and detour signs encountered in construction zone areas. They also know that sites where road construction is going on increases the risk of motor vehicle accidents in multiple ways. Improperly marking road detours and placing warning signs where they are needed is not always done. Flaggers and construction workers are not always easily visible.
Driver Error in a Construction Zone
One of the problems can be the reduced speed in a construction zone. When one vehicle approaches another that is in the zone, what they see is the space between the two vehicles, not the speed at which the car in front is traveling. When the driver finally realizes the car ahead is going much slower, it may be too late to stop.
Major Causes of Accidents in Construction Areas
Speeding is a major cause of construction zone accidents, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Distracted driving is the second highest cause as drivers use cell phones, reach for items, rubberneck or for other reasons. Tailgating and panic stops also contribute to crashes.
Staying Safe in Work Zones
According to the California Department of Motor Vehicles, a driver can be safer driving through cone zones by doing the following:
- Pay close attention while passing through the construction area
- Watch for workers, closed lanes and moving equipment
- Slow down and obey reduced speed limits for construction areas
- Allow extra room between your vehicle and the one in front of you
- Avoid distractions
Attorney Ed Smith
Fair Oaks Car Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith and I’m a Fair Oaks car accident lawyer. If you, or one of your family members has been injured in an accident at a construction zone, please call me at (916) 921-6400 or toll-free at (800) 404-5400 for advice that is friendly and free.
I have helped Fair Oaks and Sacramento County residents to obtain fair compensation for traumatic injury or wrongful death cases since I began my law practice in 1982.
Million Dollar Advocates Forum is only open to membership of trial attorneys who have worked as primary counsel on cases that have obtained million and multimillion dollar settlements/verdicts. I belong as a member from California.
Knowing if former clients were pleased with the way their cases were handled is important. Mine are found on Yelp, Avvo and on Google. Further information can be seen on my page titled Past Verdicts & Settlements.
When it comes to in-depth information on all types of personal injuries, please visit my website at www.autoaccident.com
Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/en/excavators-road-construction-581333/
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