Although road work is one of the most dangerous occupations – the risk of death for a road worker is seven times greater than for the average worker – nationally more than 80 percent of fatalities in road work zones are drivers and their passengers, not road workers.

Drivers not paying attention is the number one cause of injury and fatal crashes in our nation’s work zones. Couple this with speeding and you have the ingredients for a serious, potentially fatal, traffic crash within a work zone. If motorists would slow down and pay attention in work zones, a lot of lives would be saved.

Here’s where you can help. As you drive through work zones, model the behavior you’d like others to follow. Inform your family and friends about work zone safety and urge them to slow down and pay attention when they see orange signs.

Washington County takes work zone safety seriously. County crews are trained and certified in traffic control standards and in the most effective use of signs, cones, barricades, barrels, and flaggers to safely guide traffic through roadwork.

Remember, while it may look like traffic is held up for no good reason, the Flagger is aware of many work zone issues that may not be visible to you. Heavy equipment may be entering and leaving the project area, live power lines may be exposed, work may be occurring underground, pedestrians or bicycles may be present, etc. Please be patient and follow the flagger's directions.

Thanks for helping us improve and maintain Washington County's Roadway system in a safe manner!

Motorists traveling Washington County’s rural roads may occasionally find themselves sharing the road with large, slow-moving farm equipment. Not recognizing slow moving vehicles, or simply not being aware of them until it is too late, can cause a collision.

How can you recognize farm vehicles? According to the Oregon Drivers Manual, farm machinery and equipment that travels at 25 mph or less must display a slow moving vehicle emblem on the rear when traveling on public roads. As a motorist, you must be prepared to slow down when you see this triangular sign with a red reflectorized border and a fluorescent orange-red center. Some farm vehicles may also display flashing yellow lights.

They're so big and slow, how could you possibly rear-end a farm vehicle? Consider this: A car traveling 55 mph requires about 224 feet to stop on dry pavement, assuming average reaction time and braking. A car traveling 55 mph can close a 300-foot gap (the length of a football field) and overtake a tractor moving at 15 mph in about five seconds. If you do not begin to slow as soon as you see a farm vehicle, you might not have time to avoid a collision.

The most common accident occurs when a slow-moving farm vehicle is turning left. Although a tractor may appear to be stopping beside the road or turning right, it might actually be turning left. The farmer is swinging wide to line up with a gate or driveway; the driver behind the farmer may think the farmer is pulling over to let the driver pass. Look for gates, driveways or access roads on the left side of the road that may indicate a left turn.

How and when is it safe to pass farm equipment? It is illegal and very dangerous to pass farm equipment in a no passing zone. Pass only when the road ahead is clear and there is either a dashed yellow line on your side of the road or a dashed white line. And when passing, be extra cautious. Tractors and other farm equipment may be wider than they look from behind and may require ample space in both lanes.

The keys to safety when sharing the road with farm equipment are caution and patience. If farm equipment is causing a delay in traffic, the operator should move off the road at the nearest practical location and allow the traffic to pass.

Gravel roads present their own special road safety challenge. The issue is traction. Driving on loose gravel is harder than driving on pavement because your tires don't have the traction needed to give you stable control. Throw speed into the mix and you have a formula for trouble.

Construction materials, weather, traffic volumes, and vehicle weights can change a gravel road's condition very quickly. That's why it's so important to approach gravel roads with caution each and every time you encounter one. It may not be the same road you traveled this morning.

Here are some tips to decrease your risk when driving gravel roads:

• Slow down. Many drivers encounter problems when they leave a paved surface for a gravel one. The first thing to do is to slow down. Your vehicle is going to handle differently when it moves from one surface to another. The gravel may be loose or it may be hard-packed; you want to know how your vehicle handles before you speed up.
• Avoid sudden changes in direction, such as a swerve to avoid an object or animal on the road. They can be particularly dangerous, especially on loose gravel or at excessive speed. 
• Accelerate and brake slowly and reduce your speed when approaching intersections, curves and hills. Always drive at a speed that allows you to stop easily for any hazard. Be considerate, too. As you approach other vehicles, slow down and move over to the right so you can pass each other safely.
• Increase following distance. Even if the visibility is good and the road is hard-packed, stay at least six seconds behind other vehicles. Increase this distance when conditions are less than perfect. This reduces the danger from a cloud of dust obscuring vision or flying rocks damaging headlights and windshields.
• Be ready for skids. A vehicle can become difficult to handle in heavy gravel. If the vehicle starts to skid, remove the cause of the skid by releasing your accelerator or brakes. As you release them, look where you want to go, steer the vehicle in this direction. If the tires on one side of the vehicle go off the pavement, do not immediately turn the wheel to try to get back on the pavement. Let your foot off the gas and steer the car so it follows the edge of the pavement. Slowly turn the steering wheel to gradually guide the tire back to the road.

Winter driving can be tricky and downright dangerous. Better roads, better cars and better tires won't take the place of careful driving. To keep your experience with winter driving from becoming a crash course, here are a few driving tips:

• Slow down. Do not drive faster than your vision permits.
• Increase following distance to ensure enough reaction time and stopping distance.
• Use windshield wipers and the defroster, as needed, to maximize your ability to see.
• Drive with your lights on so other drivers can see your vehicle better.
• Turn off your cruise control so you are in control of your vehicle.
• Be ready for emergency stops by other vehicles.
• Signal early and brake gently. Hold the steering wheel firmly, and avoid making sudden turns.
• Do not change lanes or pass other vehicles unless absolutely necessary.
• If you start to skid, ease your foot off the accelerator and turn the steering wheel in the direction you want the front of the car to go.
• Use the right edge of the road or roadside reflectors as a guide in low visibility conditions.
• Treat traffic signals that are not working as an all-way stop.
• Stay away from downed power lines. Never assume a downed line is "dead."
• Do not drive through standing water or water moving across the roadway. Turn around don't drown.
• During heavy rain, use the center lanes (without straddling the yellow line). Avoid outside lanes where water collects at curbside.
• If you cannot see, pull completely off the road, and turn on your hazard lights.
• During threatening weather, listen to radio or television, adjust travel plans accordingly, and drive with extra caution.
• Carry tire chains and know how to use them, particularly if you live in a hilly area.
• Let others know your travel plans.
• Drive rested, alert and sober.
• Always buckle your safety belt and see that your passengers do, too.

With almost 1,300 miles of road to worry about, we’re only able to plow and sand the identified priority routes. So don’t expect neighborhood streets or back roads to be sanded or plowed. (And, no, we’re not crazy about studded tires. Studded tires cause about $40 million in damage to Oregon roads every year. But travelers can always use chains, which studies show to be as effective as or more effective than studded tires in most driving conditions.)

When driving conditions are treacherous, stay home. If you must leave home, use mass transit. If you must drive, make sure you and your vehicle are ready for current driving conditions.

Dial 511 for Oregon and Washington road and weather conditions or visit www.tripcheck.com.

For information about Washington County roads, call 503-846-ROAD (846-7623) or visit www.wc-roads.com.