Cornwall.ca — With construction season just around the corner, the City is reminding motorists in Cornwall Ontario to exercise caution when driving past or through a construction zone.

These areas require drivers to be especially cautious and attentive.  From the heavy machinery to changes in road conditions during construction, these zones can be dangerous for drivers.

Construction areas can be particularly distracting for those who follow the same route daily. Signage helps indicate changes in traffic flow. Without proper signage drivers may not identify changes in road condition or flow.

This can easily result in a dangerous accident that not only puts drivers at risk but also puts pedestrians and construction works in danger as well.

Drivers not only must be aware of uneven surfaces and shifted lanes but also of equipment on site such as vehicles, cones, cement partitions and other items that help construction workers on site.

Motorists are also reminded that it is an offence to drive through a closed road. The penalty for such an offence is a $110 fine and three demerit points.

Drivers who ignore the stop/slow signs of construction zone traffic controllers could face fines of up to $500 and three demerit points.

The term Road Closed Local Traffic Only applies to people who live in the area under construction, work in the vicinity, or have a definite need to be in that vicinity. It does not apply to through-traffic.

If you approach a construction zone with a Road Closed Local Traffic Only sign and you do not have to be in the area, please respect all workers and take another route to your destination.

Help us in protecting our workers and giving them a safer work environment.

How can you help?

Not only is it a legal obligation to obey road controls such as signs, signals and control persons, it also ensures the safety of all drivers, pedestrians and workers.

Here are a few tips that will help you maneuver through construction sites:

• Slow down. Obey the reduced speed limits posted in construction areas;
• Follow directions given by traffic control persons;
• When traffic merges due to a lane closure, ease into the lane early and leave gaps for other vehicles. The more cooperative drivers are the more traffic moves along smoothly;
• Adapt to construction zones like you would for weather conditions such as rain or snow. The risks can sometimes be quite similar: reduced visibility, uncertain road surfaces, sudden stops, etc.; and
• Remember that construction areas change often. What you saw yesterday may be different today.

If you have any questions or concerns with construction zones and signage please contact Tommy Sauve at tsauve@cornwall.ca or 613-930-2787 ex 2241.