All accidents are tragedies. Accidents leave lasting effects. Yet many accidents are entirely preventable, - or at least we can take steps to reduce the likelihood of an accident happening.
Road construction accident prevention can present some unique challenges. While we all understand that road construction and maintenance are necessary, it may be hard to remember when you’re in a hurry and traffic is slow. Drivers may be tempted to bend the rules, thinking nothing will happen. But in reality drivers need to just slow down. Construction work zones are challenging for drivers, however. Despite the slower pace, there are pedestrian construction workers, flaggers and surveyors. Heavy trucks and equipment, and new traffic patterns can create a confusing maze, even for good drivers. The best thing drivers can do to prevent an accident is to just slow down.
There are steps that construction workers can do as well, to help reduce the chances of being struck by oncoming traffic or by moving construction equipment. One thing workers can do to reduce the likelihood of being struck by oncoming traffic is to make them-selves more visible by wearing a reflective safety vest, or other high visibility clothing, such as a reflective T-shirt or reflective jacket.
The requirements for reflective safety vests and clothing are governed by ANSI 107-2010 which sets the number of square inches of reflective material a garment must have. Depending on the amount of reflective material, an ANSI vest will classified as an ANSI Class 2 vest or an ANSI Class 3 vest. Workers who are exposed to higher speed traffic are generally required to wear an ANSI Class 3 vest, and those exposed to slower speed traffic an ANSI Class 2 vest. Wearing a reflective safety vest, or, in bad weather, reflective rain gear, will increase worker visibility and can save a life.
Reflective safety vests come in many styles and with various features, but all vests will be made from either a solid material or a mesh material. For warmer weather, the mesh safety vest is the one that is preferred. Also for warm weather, a reflective T-shirt can be a good idea.
For colder weather, reflective sweat shirts and reflective jackets are also available.
When there is an accident emergency personnel are called to the scene. ANSI 207 vests, sometimes called Public Safety Vests, help to make first responders visible to oncoming traffic and prevent accidents. 
