It’s officially summer and that means it’s also Construction Season. We’re going to provide you with some helpful tips so you can avoid unnecessary road rage and plan your commute to work (or holidays) in a proactive way!
1. Stay Calm
This is one of the most important tips we can offer and that’s why it’s at the top of our list. It doesn’t help anyone (including yourself) to get worked up in traffic whether construction is present or not.
We understand it can be stressful and frustrating but even though it can be a major inconvenience, it needs to happen. You may as well just accept the delays.
Try listening to calming music or maybe turn the radio down altogether. Whatever helps you stay focussed and calm in the moment. Ask your kids to be quiet, ignore your phone and most importantly, DO NOT multitask while driving. No matter how long the line of cars stretches back or if you’re moving at snail speed.
We also suggest getting a good night’s sleep before you hit the road and try to leave a bit earlier than usual so you’re not in a rush. We tend to get grumpy when we’re in a rush and things don’t go our way.
2. Think Of the Positives
Road construction can be extremely frustrating, especially when the city has multiple ongoing sites throughout the summer – that’s certainly the case this year! With most of Lewvan Drive and Ring Road being under construction and other small projects throughout the city, it’s enough to drive anyone mad. But look at the bright side! It really helps to think about something positive while you’re sitting in backed-up traffic.
a. The road will be much better to drive on when the project is finally complete
b. At least we don’t live in a country where we face road construction year-round
c. Construction usually means a longer commute, but that means you can listen to music or a podcast longer as well
3. Plan Ahead
The good news is that in this day and age, we can check the internet to find where heavy traffic is, including construction zones. Even if you know your regular route to work, type it in Google Maps and find the best possible route to take. It will show you where the delays are and how much longer it will set you back. It will also find you the quickest way to get where you’re going.
Another helpful site is Regina.ca where you can find up-to-date info on construction zones and other upcoming traffic restrictions. The city is also pretty active on social media. They post updates on their Facebook page regularly.
4. Practice Safe Driving
If you know there will be construction on your route, it’s best to refresh your memory on the road signs. The last thing you probably want is to look like you don’t know what you’re doing and drive in an area you weren’t supposed to. Proper signage should indicate uneven pavement, road closures, etc., however, some areas are mismarked or missing signs altogether. Continue to drive with caution as you may hit a major bump in the road without being notified with signage and end up causing damage to your vehicle.
We also recommend following the speed limits to protect everyone’s lives, especially if you don’t want a hefty ticket from the police. It’s also important to keep a safe distance between the car ahead of you. Expect sudden starts and stops and avoid a rear-end collision.
Safe Driving
At the end of the day, the best way to stay safe in a construction zone is to just drive safely as you normally do on a regular basis.
