Employee Spotlight: Henry Rucks

When Henry Rucks drives through the I-4 Ultimate project with his friends and family, he can proudly point to a ramp or lane and say, “I made that.” Check out how he has helped build a better Interstate 4 (I-4).

Remaining Calm Can Prevent Crashes

As the I-4 Ultimate project nears its final stages, it is important that drivers continue to practice safe driving habits that keep roadways safe for everyone, even as construction zones begin to clear.

One of those safe driving habits is simple: drive the posted speed limit.

Speeding is one of the most prevalent aggressive driving behaviors that causes accidents, especially in work zones. Excessive speed is a factor in more than a third of fatal work zone crashes throughout Florida. There were 19 fatalities, 503 serious injuries, and 4,354 crashes in Florida work zones in 2017, according to Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.

Aggressive driving is defined as the operation of a motor vehicle in a manner that endangers or is likely to endanger persons or property, and they do not stop at just speeding. Acts of aggressive driving also include:

• Tailgating
• Running stop signs or stoplights
• Blocking a car from passing
• Changing lanes without signaling
• Weaving in and out of traffic
• Failing to yield the right of way

These actions can have dire consequences for all involved. Drivers can do their part to combat this issue by using the following tips to reduce aggressive driving, road rage, and crashes.

• Make amends — If you accidentally cut someone off or pull in front of another driver, say “I’m sorry” with an acknowledging wave to break the tension.
• Move over — If someone is tailgating you, move over if possible. This will get you out of a potentially dangerous situation.
• Plan it out — Give yourself plenty of time to get where you are going. Adding some cushion to your schedule will ease stress if you run into traffic congestion.
• Don't respond — If another driver tries to bully you or engage in other risky behavior, don't respond by making eye contact or hand gestures.
• Lay off — Avoid using your horn; it can agitate other drivers.
• Give plenty of room — Allow plenty of room between yourself and other cars. Remember, you don't like to be tailgated and neither do other drivers.
• Call for help — If feeling uneasy about the driving of a motorist behind you, pull over and let them pass. If the situation begins to escalate, call 911.
• Look inward — Examine your own driving habits and look for triggers that could turn you into an angry driver.

Cycling Safety in Roundabouts

March is Florida Bicycle Month, and more and more Floridians are pushing their bikes out into the sunshine. Nearly 25 million residents and tourists participate in bicycling in Florida annually, so the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) utilizes various roadway features to provide additional safety benefits for both motorists and cyclists. Among these features are roundabouts, and one was recently added along the I-4 Ultimate corridor.

FDOT opened new access under State Road (S.R.) 408 Saturday, March 27.

The new connection includes a roundabout on Magnolia Avenue under S.R. 408 that improves traffic flow and safety between Magnolia Avenue, Orange Avenue, Lucerne Circle, and a downtown Orlando entrance ramp to westbound S.R. 408.

A roundabout is a one-way, circular intersection that uses signs to guide motorists in a counterclockwise motion around a center island. Entering traffic must yield to the circulating traffic already within the roundabout.

Roundabouts ensure vehicles pass through at slower speeds and face fewer conflict points than at traditional intersections. A conflict point is where road users cross paths as they travel through or turn from one route to another. Conflict points are always present at intersections. Limiting the number of conflict points at an intersection not only reduces the frequency and severity of crashes, but also improves the overall operation and mobility.

Here are some things to keep in mind when approaching a roundabout on a bicycle:

• If you’re uncomfortable with riding a bike alongside vehicle traffic, simply walk your bike at a marked crosswalk.
• If you’re walking your bike at the crosswalks, yield right-of-way to pedestrians. Wait at splitter islands (small, usually raised median islands), if needed while crossing.
• When cycling with traffic, follow the same rules as motor vehicles and use hand signals to indicate direction.