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Safety

Safety is part of the I-4 Ultimate culture and always comes first. That means safety will never be compromised by cost or schedule. We want you to make safety a top priority too. Review the materials on these pages to keep you, and others around you, safe while you’re driving on the I-4 corridor during construction.

Work Zone Safety

The Florida Department of Transportation urges those driving through the I-4 Ultimate work zones — and all work zones — to drive carefully. Florida’s future depends on it.

The three things that drivers can do to maximize work zone safety are:

  1. Obey the Speed Limit — In work zones, speed limits may be decreased because lanes may be closed, narrowed, or shifted, and people may be working near the road. Motorists should always drive at or below the posted speed limit.

    2. Put it Down. Focus on Driving.

  2. Put Away Distractions, Especially the Phone — By Florida law, all work zones are hands-free zones, so motorists should never have a phone in their hands while driving, even to make a call. Avoid changing radio stations or interacting with in-car touch screens or other electronic devices. Dedicate your full attention to the roadway.
  3. Be Alert and Pay Attention — Work zones are changing environments. Pay attention to the road and your surroundings and keep an eye out for workers and their equipment. Remember to trust your eyes before electronics. With the speed of changes in the work zone, GPS and other navigation systems won’t always be accurate. Follow the posted signs instead of relying on electronic navigation.

Work Zone Speeding: A Costly Mistake.


Florida had the second highest number of work zone fatalities in the nation during 2018, and the highest number of worker fatalities, according to the National Work Zone Safety Information Clearinghouse. Excessive speed is a factor in more than a third of fatal work zone crashes throughout the state. 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.

Drivers exceeding the speed limit when workers are present face doubled fines. For example, the penalty for driving 10 mph over the posted speed limit in an active construction zone is $200 plus court costs. Maintaining the posted speed limit can help you not only avoid a collision, but also be more cautious around Road Rangers and disabled vehicles.

Put It Down: A Distraction-free Work Zone.


Having a phone or other wireless communication device in your hand in an active work zone or a school zone is a moving traffic violation with a fine of $60 plus court costs and other fees, and 3 points assessed against the driver’s license.

The I-4 Ultimate work zones aren’t there to personally inconvenience you. The men and women working to make your future drive better are your friends and neighbors. Just like you they have families they want to go home to at the end of the day. Let them work. Let them live.