How to drive safely on the road this summer

There's a saying in Canada that we only have two seasons: winter and construction. As Ontarians hit the road this summer we need to remember that road construction is a temporary but necessary inconvenience and that road safety is every driver's responsibility. This is especially true in construction zones.

Collision data from the Ministry of Transportation shows an increasing number of collisions and fatalities in construction zones. Across the province, there were 1,519 collisions in construction zones in 2011, followed by 1,592 in 2012 and 1,694 in 2013. These collisions led to three, four and eight fatalities, respectively.

It's every driver's responsibility to help prevent these tragic statistics by doing everything they can to ensure construction workers' safety. Follow these tips to keep road workers, your passengers and yourself safe this summer.

1. Plan ahead to avoid delays. Know where construction zones and other delays are beforehand so they're not unexpected. Ontario511 is an excellent resource, as are traffic apps and radio stations that update information constantly. If possible, find an alternate route to avoid construction zones and other delays altogether.

2. Adhere to posted speed limits and other signage on the road. Speed limits change in construction zones for a reason. Make sure you follow posted signage and exercise caution in construction zones.

3. Avoid driving distractions. Plan your route before departing and only use your cell phone when parked. Make sure to pre-set your climate control, mirrors, GPS and radio stations in advance.

4. Treat construction zones as if they were your own workplace. Show respect for construction workers by treating these zones as if they were your own workplace. Treat construction workers the way you'd like to be treated when you're at work.

5. Stay off the majors. Construction and traffic can be more prevalent on major routes throughout the summer. Stay off the highly travelled and popular roads and take advantage of Ontario's countryside to avoid delays and enjoy the scenic route.

Source: www.newscanada.com