{"id":13108,"date":"2023-09-21T09:11:36","date_gmt":"2023-09-21T09:11:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/diamondlaw.ca\/?p=13108"},"modified":"2023-09-21T11:31:35","modified_gmt":"2023-09-21T11:31:35","slug":"safety-first-why-driving-on-closed-roads-is-a-bad-idea","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/diamondlaw.ca\/safety-first-why-driving-on-closed-roads-is-a-bad-idea\/","title":{"rendered":"Safety First: Why Driving on Closed Roads Is a Bad Idea"},"content":{"rendered":"

How safe are public roads in Canada? Despite <\/span>Transport Canada’s efforts to prioritize road safety<\/span><\/a>, traffic-related fatalities and serious injuries continue to pose a problem on Canadian roads.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

There were 1,768 deaths resulting from reported traffic collisions in 2021. That’s 1.3 percent, up from the 1,746 fatalities recorded in 2020. According to <\/span>Transport Canada’s National Collision Database (NCDB)<\/span><\/a>, severe and total injuries from reportable motor vehicle collisions in Canada also increased.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In 2021, the number of severe injuries increased to 8,185, indicating a 4 percent increase from 2020, when there were only 7,868 injuries. Meanwhile, the total injuries, ranging from minimal to severe, recorded in 2021 were up to 108,018. This is 3.6 percent higher than the 104,286 total injuries reported in 2020.<\/span><\/p>\n

Considering this data on traffic-related injuries, it\u2019s not difficult to conclude that accidents are common on Canadian roads. Moreover, the outcomes can be tragic for those involved, their families, and even communities.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

After a serious motor vehicle crash, closing the lane or road may be necessary in areas affected by the accident to prevent further harm. A road closed sign means that you can\u2019t drive beyond that point. You must take an alternative route, primarily for safety reasons.<\/span><\/p>\n

Other situations that require roads to be closed include construction, repairs, and <\/span>hazards due to severe weather conditions<\/span><\/a>. Regardless of the reason, closed roads or lanes are a safety measure for everyone on the road.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Unfortunately, some drivers may ignore barricades and still head down roads that have been closed. Driving on a closed highway or lane presents a significant risk to everyone on the road, which is why you shouldn\u2019t drive on a closed road.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This article discusses why driving on a closed highway is a bad idea and the consequences of not obeying road closures. We\u2019ll also provide tips to help motorists deal with the inconvenience of closed roads.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Key Takeaways<\/b><\/p>\n

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  • Motorists must adhere to different traffic signs on the road.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  • A road closure is one of the critical signs drivers must pay attention to when driving.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Driving on closed roads or highways puts everyone on the road at risk and can carry legal consequences.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

    Understanding Road Closures and Their Importance<\/b><\/h2>\n

    Various indications will alert drivers to a closed road or lane. Typically, these may include signage, barricades, tape, orange cones, or temporary lights. Encountering these traffic signs can be frustrating, especially when you have time-sensitive appointments.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    The bright side is that some road closures are planned, so you can map out an alternate route before you head out. Others, however, can happen without prior notice, resulting in unforeseen delays and disruptions in your travel plans.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    It’s common to be frustrated when you\u2019re navigating through unfamiliar routes due to closed roads. However, despite the frustration and inconvenience, closing roads is important for ensuring safety and minimizing the impact on traffic flow in work zones.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    To help you deal with the situation more calmly and responsibly, it may be beneficial to understand the different types of road closures and why they\u2019re important.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Full road closures<\/b><\/h3>\n

    Full road closures are when a road or highway is fully shutdown. It blocks the entire route, which prohibits motorists and pedestrians from accessing it for an extended period of time. When a road is fully closed, road users must use a detour route to reach their destination.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Generally, a road is fully closed to protect motorists from being exposed to work zones. Similarly, it also eliminates the risk that workers may face from traffic during road maintenance or construction.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Since traffic is often rerouted during a full road closure, workers can completely access roadway facilities. However, a road is fully closed where it’s impossible to safely complete the necessary work with a partial road closure.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    A full road closure may also be necessary to ensure the safety of a community event and streamline area management. For example, during the Canada Day long weekend, <\/span>Niagara Falls and Niagara Parks teamed up to enforce road closures<\/span><\/a> near Queen Victoria Park.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Most full road closures are generally scheduled, so the public can plan their route and prepare for possible inconveniences.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Partial road closures<\/b><\/h3>\n

    Partial road closures are when a sidewalk, shoulder, or one lane is closed, while allowing access to at least another lane for vehicular traffic. So instead of taking traffic off the regular route, motorists are redirected to the other side of the freeway.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Roads are partially closed when work only affects specific sections of a roadway, such as fixing potholes, installing utility lines, or repairing bridges. For instance, the City of Lethbridge in Alberta <\/span>closed a portion of Whoop-Up Drive<\/span><\/a> to allow crews to repair a catch basin.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Only one direction of traffic can move at a time during a partial road closure. As a result, flaggers will often have to direct motorists when to stop or proceed safely. In some cases, there may be temporary traffic signals to control traffic flow through limited lanes.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Other than road maintenance and construction, partial and full road closures can happen for a variety of reasons. Check out the video below to learn more about the typical situations that may require roads to be closed in Ontario and across Canada. <\/span><\/p>\n