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Traffic Management for Works on Roads – Code of Practice March 2018

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Safe and Effective Works and Event Traffic Management in Perth

When it comes to event traffic management and traffic control, safety and effectiveness are our top two priorities. As Perth’s trusted traffic management professionals, WARP Group provides an extensive range of high-quality traffic control courses and services centred on maintaining the strict safety standards set out in the MRWA’s Code of Practice.

Safer Roads Are Our Priority

As Australia’s largest state, Western Australia has over 170,000km of roads. With roads regularly requiring work and maintenance, effective traffic management is essential to maintain safety standards and worksite productivity. At WARP Group, we adhere to the MRWA’s Code of Practice – in line with state legislation and national standards – to promote safe and effective practices on roads.

The Code of Practice has been carefully formulated to protect all road users, including drivers, pedestrians, workers and traffic management teams. We encourage all traffic management workers to read through the MRWA’s Code of Practice and familiarise themselves with concepts, procedures and recommendations.

By following the MRWA’s Code of Practice, we can work together to maintain safer worksites and roads for all stakeholders. Find out more about the Traffic Management for Works on Roads Code of Practice – March 2018. Download it here.

What’s the Purpose of the Code of Practice?

The Code of Practice is centred on enhancing safety and productivity by providing a number of useful and practical standards and recommendations, helping to:

  • Maintain the safety of all road users and workers
  • Establish clear procedures and systems for traffic management
  • Minimise disruptions and inconvenience
  • Enhance productivity and results

Traffic Management for Events Code of Practice

The Western Australian government sets out the Traffic Management for Events Code of Practice. Designed to complement the Traffic Management for Works on Roads Code of Practice, it provides greater detail of traffic management issues common during events.

Read through the Traffic Management for Events Code of Practice here.

Approval Required to Work Within Road Reserves

Before beginning works in road reserves, approval needs to be obtained from the agency responsible for the care, control and management of relevant roads. You also need to seek authorisation from all other relevant authorities before the commencement of work. This might include agreeing to variations to the application of the Code of Practice or Australian standards as well as development, heritage, environmental, cultural and other clearances. Emergency services, police, public transport authorities and other relevant stakeholders may also need to be notified.

All approvals to conduct works on roads issues by the MRWA, Local Governments or other authorities should be noted on the Traffic Management Plan. Mandatory traffic management conditions are also to be included within approval.

Find out more about approvals required to work within road reserves here.

Become an Accredited Traffic Management Officer

Traffic Controllers have a unique skill set and comprehensive knowledge of practices, systems and procedures. At WARP Group, we provide MRWA approved traffic management and control courses through Warp Training Australia (WTA).

Our courses are consistently evolving to meet the needs of the industry. With strategic relationships with a number of industry bodies and associations, we’re able to provide quality training and assessments that ensure best-practice methodologies.

If you’re interested in a job in the traffic management industry or are looking to start a new career, learn more about WTA’s courses. 

WTA provide Traffic Control Training and Traffic Management Training in Perth, Western Australia.

Perth’s Traffic Management and Traffic Control Professionals

At WARP Group, we’re committed to making Perth and WA’s roads safer. Find out more about how we uphold the MRWA’s Code of Practice and learn more about our innovative training courses. Contact the traffic management professionals at WARP Group on (08) 9493 8700.

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Traffic Control in a Smart City

How long do you think you should spend commuting to and from work? Ten minutes? Forty-five minutes? In March 2016, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull unveiled his vision for Smart Cities, which involved plans for “30-minute cities”, where people would take no longer than 30 minutes to commute to work each day. But how can traffic be controlled to achieve this in such big cities, especially where many jobs exist in the CBD and the urban sprawl has caused many to rely on personal vehicles to get around?

Our Cars Are Exhausted

The 30-minute city, as described in Mr Turnbull’s Smart Cities Plan, is a city where “no matter where you live, you can easily access the places you need to visit on a daily basis.” However, one of the biggest setbacks in achieving Mr Turnbull’s vision is the widespread use of cars as a means of getting to work each day.

At the moment, less than 10% of people take public transport or walk to their jobs, so we need to look at why these options aren’t more appealing to the working population. At WARP Group, we think one way to encourage people to leave their cars at home is to make public transport the more attractive option. This can be achieved by making public transport schedules frequent and convenient, improving security on services and stressing the money that people could save by leaving their car at home.

If you have more people using public transport, or even better, cycling or walking to their jobs, you will reduce congestion on the roads and commute times will improve.

Smart Cities Need Smart Traffic Management

The idea of the 30-minute city comes from a broader idea of “smart cities” – cities or communities that are designed to be more sustainable and efficient. The term “smart city” is one that is connected to the internet of things (IOT) and therefore, it could be defined as a community of any size, part of a larger unit, that employs the IOT to respond to the communities changing needs, collaborates with other communities and the like.

Smart cities aim to:

  • Invest in the cities’ infrastructure;
  • Coordinate and drive smarter city policy, and, most importantly;
  • Drive the take up of smart technology, to improve the sustainability of our cities and drive innovation.

The use of technology in traffic control plans leads to smarter traffic management, with the use of things such as CCTV footage to detect incidents, variable message signs to warn drivers of incidents and hazards, and even distraction detection to identify fatigued or distracted drivers.

Take Note, Australia                         

Australia can take notes from cities such as Amsterdam, who is leading the way as a smart city. Amsterdam already has its own ‘virtual traffic manager’, which allows a person to view any road in the area, through a combination of cameras, sensors and vehicle detection.

Amsterdam has seen some great improvements in their mobility and transport, with:

  • 32% of traffic movement in Amsterdam is by bike
  • 63% of Amsterdam’s inhabitants use their bike on daily basis;
  • There were nearly 29,000 registered electrical car owners in 2016; and
  • Since 2008, car sharing has increased 376%

While smart traffic management is a start to making our cities more efficient, there is still a long way to go. The next step the rollout of Mr Turnbull’s Smart Cities plan, which will see Sydney revitalised to become Australia’s first smart city. This will be an exciting time for the nation, with other metropolitan and regional cities following suit to become safer and more efficient over time. At WARP Group, we have 20 years of experience in providing and executing traffic control plans to make our cities and towns safer. Make sure you contact WARP Group today for more information on how our traffic management and traffic control plans can help you!

Smart Traffic Management

Technology dominates the best part of our lives, from our smartphones to our home appliances that can be controlled via an app, so it was only a matter of time before it became a part of the transportation and traffic system too. So how has technology impacted the way we commute every day?  

Intelligent Transport in 2017

Welcome to 2017, where some new cars warn us of hazards or avoid them entirely with in-built sensors, some answer our commands via voice control, and others can park or drive themselves. This kind of incredible technology is expanded upon and manipulated to create Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS), which work to improve the safety of those on the road. But how do these systems actually work?

Vehicles with ITS technology are even smarter than those that drive or park themselves, in that they’re connected to the internet. These systems can communicate with each other in real-time, relaying information from personal vehicles to warn other vehicles about hazards, or via traffic management systems to update drivers on road conditions, communicate speed variations or detect distracted drivers!

Traffic Management of the Future is Here

The aim of ITS Technology is to improve safety, reduce costs and find more efficient ways of communicating and commuting. The technology is already being used in to solve traffic issues in Western Australia, in areas such as:

  • Traffic and Incident Monitoring: CCTV footage and vehicle detectors are used to detect incidents and respond to them in the most efficient way to help ease congestion.
  • Variable Message Signs: Used to warn drivers of upcoming incidents, severe weather, long weekend Double-Demerit Points, upcoming events where vehicle routes may change and general congestion.
  • GPS & Navigation Systems: Drivers now have access to real-time updates about the route they are taking, with the option to take other quick routes if an incident occurs and causes congestion.
  • Rail Management Systems: ITS allows for controllers to turn data regarding train location and speed into efficient and reliable train schedules.
  • Distraction Detection: Helping to identify drivers who are suffering from fatigue, or who are inattentive or distracted, through specialised imaging and measuring of things such as eye and head position

Why Invest in ITS Technology?

The biggest reason to invest time, money and resources in ITS technology comes from a safety perspective. With metropolitan areas attracting more and more people to live and work, the congestion on our roads will only continue to increase. ITS is important for advising and managing congestion, preventing accidents from occurring in the first place and smoothing traffic flow if an incident does take place

With the Modern Era’s thirst for 24/7 information, ITS technology assists us daily by providing real-time data to help us be more efficient and productive on our travels. But productivity does not mean being able to check the emails on your phone, drink a coffee and paint your nails as you drive, it means being able to drive with a smaller chance of having a fatigue-related incident.

Other benefits of the technology include reduced costs and environmental performance, with less money being spent on vehicle repairs and fuel consumption from sitting at between 5-10kmph on the Freeway for an hour in the morning and evening, and less gas emissions from your car as you (hopefully) spend less time on the road.

It’s an exciting time for the tech world, and it’s intriguing to think how technology will continue to mould and change the way we understand and undertake traffic management in the future. With 20 years in traffic management, you can be sure that WARP Group will be leading the way in any technological advances that improve traffic management in Australia! Contact WARP Group today for more information on how our traffic management can help you!

Traffic Control Equipment – A Breakdown

When it comes to events that may disrupt the usual flow of traffic, roadwork that requires traffic diversion or even just general day-to-day traffic control, having the right tools is essential. Effective traffic management relies on planning, strategy and many different pieces of equipment. But what exactly are these pieces of signage, what do they mean and how are they beneficial?

Signs

There are many different signs that are used when traffic needs to be managed, from Regulatory Signs such as speed signs, to Warning Signs that advise us of potential animals on the road, such as kangaroos or cattle.

Warning Signs

These signs are used to advise driver of conditions that require caution, speed reduction and additional attention. These signs are general diamond shaped with a black legend or symbol, or both, and a black border on a yellow background. Some examples of these signs are Road Humps Ahead, Low Clearance, and Kangaroo or Stock Warning Signs.

Regulatory Signs

Speed Limit Signs are an example of Regulatory Signs; they advise drivers about traffic laws or regulations. These signs are long rectangles with a white background and a black legend.

Hazard Signs

Hazard Signs are used to indicate a change in the direction of traffic flow, and the presence and width of an obstruction. These signs are generally rectangular, with black and white bands in either diagonal stripes or chevrons. There are four types of Hazard Signs: 

  1. Uni-directional Hazard Marker: Used to guide traffic in the direction indicated by the chevrons.
  2. Bi-directional Hazard Marker: Used to direct drivers either side of an obstruction, such as an island
  3. Width Marker: Used to mark either side of a vertical obstruction, such as a bridge; and
  4. Obstruction Marker: Used to define obstructions above the road, such as road closures. 

Roadside Products

Posts, fittings and LED signage products are used to make people aware of anything that may be happening on the road or any upcoming hazards, particular during roadwork, construction and maintenance and on roads with minimal lighting, such as country roads. These products include: 

Road Edge Guide Post

Often used on country roads where there may be unsealed shoulders, or bends in the road that are hard to navigate at night time.

Permanent and Temporary Raised Pavement Markers

These are often used as a guide for drivers, allowing them to review the road ahead, as well as to see better in harsh weather and low-light conditions.

Guardrail Delineator

Used to make guardrails more visible to drivers, particularly in inclement weather or low light. 

LED Signage

Used to provide relevant and timely messages or information to drivers to inform them of the conditions ahead, such as a change in speed limit, hazards on the road or road closures.

Roadside products also include things such as traffic cones, pedestrian barricades, and metal and plastic crowd barriers.

Ensuring traffic flows smoothly, no matter the hazard, obstruction or road conditions, is imperative to keeping drivers and traffic controllers’ safe. The different equipment that we use all has different uses, but together, these signs will keep traffic and pedestrians controlled and safe. For more information about traffic control in Sydney or Perth, contact WARP Group today!

Maybe It’s Time For A Career Change

Are you sick of feeling bored at work? Or feel like your current job isn’t really leading to anything? Do you want something that is a little more exciting and has a real impact on the community? Then perhaps it is time for you to consider a career in traffic control. This blog discusses Perth’s current job market, what it is a traffic controller does, and how you can go about making this career change, by applying for WARP Group’s traffic control course.

The current job market in Perth

Perth is said to have Australia’s weakest job market at present, meaning that people are jumping into jobs they don’t really want merely for financial security. These are the types of jobs they quickly grow tired of, as they don’t feel like they’re having any sort of impact on people. Traffic controllers, on the other hand, are in a position where they are making a real impact as they are committed to the safety of those within the community.

What does a traffic controller do?

Traffic controllers are used at events and throughout construction projects in order to effectively and efficiently direct traffic. They have a complete understanding of traffic management and how this can have a direct effect on the overall success of an event or project and showcase this understanding through the work they do. It is expected that traffic controllers know that traffic management is far more than just directing traffic.

Traffic controllers must be committed to safety. They can be responsible for activities such as merging traffic or directing vehicles around dangerous or hazardous areas. For this reason, they are fully trained on road safety and know how to respond in any emergency situation.

Basic Worksite Traffic Management & Traffic Control course

It is a requirement that all traffic controllers have completed a traffic control course, such as the Basic Worksite Traffic Management & Traffic Control (BWTM & TC) course offered by WARP. Those who partake in the three-day course and successfully complete the mandatory practical training and assessments receive a Main Roads WA Accreditation card and certificate, allowing them to work as a traffic controller on any main road.

The course consists of both practical and theoretical components. From traffic management plans, cautionary signs, communication, risk identification and prevention, to directing and responding in emergency situations, students will learn everything they need to know in order to begin working as a traffic controller. Courses, such as the BWTM & TC course offered by WARP, are no longer just advantageous, they are a legal requirement and nobody can control traffic on a main road without the skills and theory taught throughout the duration of the course.

If you are thinking it is time for a new job, then maybe being a traffic controller is right for you. By undertaking a traffic control course, you will have all the qualifications you need to get started and make the first step towards a rewarding career change that allows you to have the impact on the community. For all courses contact WTA – www.wta.edu.au

Contact WARP Group today!

Ensuring a Smooth Event with Quality Traffic Management

For any large event or construction project to run smoothly, traffic flow management is absolutely essential and should never be taken lightly. Effective traffic management is the correct combination of signs, human resources and adequate planning, which WARP Group has perfected through experience over the years.

We’ve outlined the importance of each of the components of traffic management below.

 

Traffic control signs

Signs play an important role in directing traffic and allowing motorists to quickly realise what it is they need to do. The benefits of signs are that they are easily recognisable, as drivers are used to seeing them on the roads each day and they are usually respected and followed.

The range of different signs that WARP Group uses allow motorists to have a complete understanding of what they need to do in different situations. This is crucial in the effective management of any event, roadworks and maintenance.

 

Qualified traffic controllers

While signs play a key role in alerting motorists what they need to do, qualified traffic controllers go a step further by directing traffic and controlling any problems that may arise. Drivers often respond immediately to any directions given by traffic controllers, who are also there to communicate, should the driver have any questions or concerns.

At WARP Group, our qualified traffic controllers know how to manage a variety of situations to the absolute best of their ability. Our experience and training give them the ability to make decisions when required. We understand the challenges of traffic management and are solutions driven to provide the best possible service.

 

Adequate planning

All events and construction projects are unique, which is why a crucial component of traffic flow management is thorough planning. By working alongside our clients, we are in a position to pre-empt any problems, ensuring events run smoothly and most importantly safely.

Here at WARP Group, we pride ourselves on the efficient planning we undertake in order to satisfy each of our unique clients. We work closely with our clients to completely understand their needs and why traffic management is important for their particular event or project. In other words, the client helps us to strategically identify solutions.

During procedures, traffic can be an absolute nightmare and is, at times, detrimental to the project, as a whole. However, by utilising professional traffic management services, these events will run smoothly, giving organisers, motorists and everyone involved, peace of mind.

At WARP Group, the client comes first and our expert team goes above and beyond to ensure we deliver traffic management services that satisfy all parties and help to achieve the best results. WARP Group believe that the client should focus on the event itself, and let us manage the traffic.

Traffic Management: What’s to It?

There’s an abundance of reasons why you or your business may require traffic management. Whether it be road works, construction or an event, WARP has your back, WARP understands partnership. At WARP, we know traffic management is not a guessing game. It can take out of the box thinking and novel design to deliver consistent solutions to our expanding list of satisfied clients. So, what’s involved with traffic management?

Consultation:

In delivering a first-class service, it’s important to realise that each project is different and the approach, strategy and design should be pragmatic. At WARP, not only do we recognise this, it is the backbone of the service we deliver. We enjoy meeting with our clients to discuss their individual requirements to effectively and efficiently provide a transparent understanding of the project costs and requirements. In the traffic management industry, no two projects are the same and it’s by embracing this that we are able to go above and beyond with our service.

The planning

In fulfilling the requirements of clients, effective and accurate planning must occur. In order for us to make sure this is the case at WARP, our in-house CAD technicians use their experience to design traffic management plans using the latest CAD software. Not only are these plans effective, but they are efficient as well! We come up with a plan as fast as we possibly can, communicate it with our client and make changes wherever there is a requirement.

Getting the job done

While consultation and planning are crucial, what matters the most is getting the job done on the day. Here at WARP, we have skilled and experienced staff that will perform their duties in a professional and friendly manner. There are a number of laws and legislation associated with traffic control and management, so it’s important to have a developed and focused interest in this. We at WARP have been doing this for 20 years and continue to be at the forefront of new and emerging strategies, plant and equipment.

WARP will be on time, deliver the service promised at the price agreed, we will do what we say will do. Our commitment is to provide this service with a spirit of partnership and transparency and our communication channels will ensure a smooth and productive relationship from the very start.

As leaders in the traffic management industry since 1997, we at WARP are experts in all phases of the traffic management process. We display strong and honest communications, a fresh attitude and a service that is versatile to suit your requirements. Contact WARP today for all your traffic management needs and get the job done safely and on time!

Driverless Vehicles

Driverless vehicles are hitting the road in countries all around the world. It won’t be long before your taxi will pull up with nobody inside, trucks will drive themselves across the country, and your morning commute on public transport will be passengers only.

The autonomous vehicle industry is booming and it means exciting changes for Australian passengers and businesses alike. For the road traffic control industry, the growth of driverless vehicles could see machinery going autonomous, freeing up a driver to increase the crew’s efficiency.

According to industry estimates by 2020 the driverless vehicle industry will be worth more than $100 billion worldwide. Already some companies are exploring how autonomous vehicles can deliver packages, haul material and transport people.

 

What is driverless technology?

In simple terms, autonomous vehicles use a bunch of sensors to tell a computer program how to drive. The sensors register light, distance, speed, sound and direction which feeds into a program designed to interpret all those things like a human would. It is a similar concept to reversing sensors or automatic wipers.

Driverless technology is not quite road-ready for you to sit back and watch a movie while you wave to Sydney’s traffic controllers hard at work. There are some cars like Tesla’s Model S which feature autopilot functionality, a precursor to fully autonomous vehicles. These still require a human driver to be touching the wheel but take over some of the controls at low speeds.

 

The road to the future

Although still fairly new, driverless vehicles are already revolutionising the way we think about transport and car ownership, boosting the popularity of electric cars in the process. Here are some examples:

• Shared car ownership or no car ownership! Autonomous vehicles can be shared between users, because they can drive themselves to the next pickup point.
• Emergency support and road works – What if Sydney’s traffic controllers and emergency workers could partner with data companies to predict where accidents might occur and get there faster?
• Planning and government services – How will we plan for a driverless future? Roads, recharging stations and airspace will all operate differently with the increased presence of robot vehicles.


Benefits and risks

Driverless vehicles will soon make transport more efficient than ever, and ideally safer too. Autonomous trucks will reduce strain on long-haul drivers by taking the wheel on lengthy routes. The technology will allow faster delivery – imagine ordering a pizza and having it delivered in minutes by a driverless car, then carried up to your apartment by a drone! Mercedes-Benz recently unveiled a concept van to do exactly that.

As with any new technology, there are kinks to work out before driverless vehicles go mainstream. Machinery is also going driverless which presents its own complications. Take road work machinery; there are so many moving parts like scoops and drills, and their sheer size makes safety the number one issue. Australian roads need to be safe for human and robot drivers alike so companies implementing this technology need to be absolutely sure it will not cause harm.

Cars, buses and trucks are starting to be tested in real-life situations and the technology will soon be available to the general public. Autonomous vehicles will innovate the way we live and work in exciting ways.

Incidents on Work Sites

Road construction and repair, and traffic control for special events, are important for the safety of drivers and pedestrians alike. Without these key services, the infrastructure we all use daily would fall into disrepair, causing major hazards both on and off the road.

Just like any worksite it is important to keep traffic control and road repair sites safe for workers and motorists. Incidents involving traffic controllers all around the country can be minimised by slowing down, paying attention to signs, and being aware of hazards.

Common worksite incidents

Motorists colliding with traffic control staff or machinery on road work sites has occurred in the past. This has been due to speed, not paying attention, frustration caused by delays or the perceived inappropriateness of speed limits. These incidents are dangerous for the motorist as well as the staff; working close to traffic poses some risk however driver education and awareness can drastically reduce the number of harmful encounters. There are also risks working with machinery, including damage to company vehicles from collisions, dangerous work environment around heavy machinery, and fatigue leading to mishandling of equipment.

Tips to reduce accidents on road work sites

• Slow down! Obey speed limits in work areas
• Maintain a safe distance (two-second gap) from the car in front
• Watch the signs and follow lane movements
• Be alert for hazards or sudden stoppages
• Minimise distractions
• Stay calm and be patient, the traffic will continue to flow
• Be courteous to other drivers when merging
• Take extra care after dark or in poor weather

Why road safety matters

For motorists travelling through active traffic control zones the temptation to ignore posted speed limits can lead to a dangerous mistake. Research shows the most common type of incident involves traffic colliding with staff, which can lead to a fatality. Taking extra care when travelling through a road work or a special event site will get you to your destination safely while making sure the worksite is as safe as your workplace.

Warp Group are on the roads in NSW 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and we want to keep our traffic controllers safe. We believe education and a patient, positive attitude goes a long way to achieving this. It is up to the general public to respect work sites and travel safely in order to arrive at their destination without incident.

For traffic controllers, the risks also include working with machinery. To minimise the risk of accidents occurring it is important to always stay alert and keep a safe distance between any heavy machinery if you are not operating it. Warp Group offer up to date safety training courses to keep worksites safe, and always try to plan for minimal impact work so as not to put our staff, or passing motorists, at risk. We invite you to contact the Warp Group team to find out more about our safety training and traffic control services in NSW.

Safe travels!

Road Safety 101

Australians are pretty safe drivers most of the time — we obey the road rules and watch out for hazards because we know how important it is to be smart on the roads. But we definitely could be doing better. Road accident numbers are starting to creep up compared to 2015 and dangerous, sometimes deadly, accidents are still occurring too often.

Because WARP Traffic Management are on the roads 24 hours a day 7 days a week managing traffic and sites for events, roadworks, and emergency response situations we see it all. We want drivers to stay safe in all conditions, starting with these handy tips:

Driving safely in the wet

Heavy rain can cause chaos on roads if people don’t slow down and pay attention. In the wet you should always slow down, increase the distance between you and the car in front, and keep a keen eye out for any potential hazards. Water on the road can cause your vehicle to slip, and potholes can form deceptively deep pools. Be patient and you will arrive safely every time.

Driving at night

In the dark it is easy to miss hazards on the side of the road like broken down cars, animals, or poles. As visibility drops always remember to use your headlights and drive safely, staying alert for dark objects. Safety is paramount at WARP Traffic Management so when you are on the roads at night and see traffic management signs, we urge you to obey the signs and drive with caution. Traffic management is important to keep all motorists and pedestrians moving safely at all hours of the day or night.

Traffic management and special events

Take extra care when you see traffic management or special event signs at road works.. There are usually lane changes or detours in place, and workers very close to where you are driving. Traffic management often affects main roads and busy intersections so you always need to obey the signals to keep things moving smoothly. Outside events there are likely to be a lot of people trying to navigate the roads so be patient and everyone will get home safely.

Country roads

The open road often has some incredible sites, quite complex and long. Driving on country roads can be unfamiliar for city drivers and staying alert is vital. The road conditions aren’t always perfect but if you are looking out for potholes, wildlife, heavy vehicles, and other hazards you will enjoy the drive even more. We do a lot of traffic management work in the NSW and WA countryside (as well as the Sydney & Perth areas) so we know how enjoyable a country drive can be.

Road safety is an important part of every drive on all roads. Safety is paramount at WARP Traffic Management and we work with our clients to think the same way because we want everyone to get where they are going safely. Obey traffic control signs, drive safely in hazardous conditions, and always pay attention to what is ahead (and behind) on the open road.