Community growth can be seen in every city surrounding Fort Hood and all along Interstate 35. As these communities continue to grow, it is important to know that road construction will continue to be part of our daily commuting landscape.

Road construction areas are dangerous for work crews and all vehicle operators; however, road construction hazards are significantly more complicated for motorcycle riders.

According to the Texas Department of Transportation, in 2014, there were 19,393 crashes in roadway construction and maintenance zones in Texas, resulting in 670 incapacitating injuries, 2,948 non-incapacitating injuries and 146 fatalities. There are currently 20 active work zones along I-35 in Texas, encompassing 109.6 miles from north to south.

In a construction area, a motorcycle rider must continuously scan for loose gravel, debris, milled road surfaces, steel plates, road sealants and other road hazards that would create an edge trap. Edge trap generally refers to a sudden drop or cut in the road that can catch the bike’s tire.

The milling of pavement is part of the resurfacing operations. After a road has been milled, the irregular and grooved surface, coupled with roadway scaling and loose material, are particularly hazardous to motorcycle riders. The difference in pavement height is most critical when a motorcyclist must go from the milled lane, low side, to the original roadway, high side.

A motorcyclist trapped in a low-to-high surface area is a common road construction edge trap. Motorcycle riders should remain calm and avoid grabbing the handlebars too tightly while traveling on a milled road and avoid traveling over edge traps. If you must cross over an edge trap, do so with as large an attack angle as possible. Turn away from the edge, then turn toward it before crossing over and at a safe speed.

A common maintenance practice found in most roadways is the use of sealant. Sealant is used to close cracks to prevent moisture from entering into the roadway and undermining the roadway’s supporting structure. Hot tar is commonly applied as the sealant. Excess tar can create humps, bumps and slick surfaces that are hazardous to motorcycle riders.

Without proper control, these “tar snakes” present opportunities for motorcycle tires to lose traction with the road surface. Motorcycle riders should reduce speed, approach tar snakes at 90 degrees where possible, preferably no less than 45 degrees. Remain loose on the motorcycle; tightening up or establishing a “death grip” on a motorcycle handle could exacerbate the danger. Operate the throttle or brakes in a gradual, slow and precise fashion.

Another infrastructure challenge is the use of steel plates to cover open excavations or similar roadway irregularities. These plates provide little traction to motorcycles, and their thickness can be a bump hazard at most posted speed limits.

Whether you are on your bike, or driving your car or truck, please be alert in work zones. Read and obey the signs, maintain a safe traveling distance and practice defensive driving. Motorcycle riders should always wear the required personal protective equipment. Central Texas is an amazing place to live, work and play. Now, let’s make it a safe place for all vehicle drivers.