With the warm weather we’re having, you know what that means: it’s construction season! Do you agree with the idea that in upstate NY there are two seasons? And those two seasons are winter and construction season? Let us know what you think.

Anyway, with the advent of construction season comes the increased need to understand the best ways to be safe when driving in work zones. Check out our tips for driving safely and legally and not stressing when you hit the cone zones and spot workers out repairing the potholes that good ol’ Mother Nature threw into the Northway and the street I live on in Troy. (This may or may not be a gentle plea to get my street repaved… so traffic gods, I hope you’re reading this!)

1. Stay Alert – don’t get distracted by your radio, your passengers, your Dunkin, your phone, or anything else, especially when you’re driving in a construction zone. Give the road your full, undivided attention.

2. Keep your headlights on – even during the day, it’s a good idea to switch on your headlights if you don’t have DRL’s.

3. Did we say pay attention? – Watch for road signs, brake lights, and other vehicles to see if people are slowing down, what the speed limit should be, and other important information about the traffic pattern.

4. Merge in time – don’t wait until the very last second to merge into the correct lane. If you see a sign that says “Lane Closed Ahead,” then get into the lane that’s going to be open and just stay there. You can zoom past that old lady in a Buick after you pass the construction area. Patience is a virtue!

5. Don’t tailgate – that being said, don’t be right up that old lady’s tailpipe the entire time you’re stuck behind her. That’s not only rude, it’s illegal.

6. Obey the speed limit – Sure, you can go 65 on the Northway, but if the work zone speed limit is 45 then slow the heck down and obey the speed limit! There are probably workers on the road working mere feet from where cars are, and you don’t want to get into a really serious accident. Also, ticket fines are doubled for speeding in work zones. So, there’s that as well.

7. Change lanes safely – don’t drive like a maniac! When you’re still in a construction area, change lanes like you are that old lady in the Buick and be safe about it.

8. Watch for flaggers and follow their instructions – don’t ignore those people with flags. They have a job to do and you can get ticketed for ignoring flaggers.

9. Expect the unexpected – work zones are one of the places on this earth where chaos has a tendency to reign, and you should not expect driving in one to be smooth sailing. Trucks, other vehicles, and machinery can enter your lane at any time and you need to be prepared.

10. PATIENCE IS KEY. This is in caps because it’s important. Be patient. It’ll be good.