Flaggers are on the roads to protect both workers and motorists.

Summertime is the prime time for completing road construction and improvement projects. In addition to finishing the work on time and within budget, it is always a challenge to balance keeping roads open for motorists with the need to provide a safe work zone for the crews.

Road construction has become increasingly dangerous work due to impatient and unsafe drivers who disregard warning signs and flaggers. Between 1996 and 2002, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) reported 68 fatalities and 6,833 injuries in work zones statewide.

The King County Road Service Division does a lot to keep traffic flowing in and around construction projects, but it is almost certain that some time this summer you will probably be slowed down or detoured by a road project. You can keep track of most road closures by logging on to the county's “Road Alert!” web page.

Ignoring directions from flaggers or speeding through work zones is illegal, dangerous and counterproductive. Traffic fines are doubled in work zones, and cannot be reduced, suspended or waived. Those who drive negligently in work zones, or remove, evade or purposely strike safety devices can be found guilty of "endangerment of roadway workers," which is punished with fines up to a $1,000 and/or up to 90 days in jail. If convicted of a reckless endangerment violation, a driver could have his or her license suspended for up to 60 days.

Reckless motorists also slow down traffic for everyone else. When one driver ignores a flagger's direction to stop, it triggers a chain reaction. The flagger must protect the safety of the workers in the zone by either yelling or radioing ahead. Traffic must be stopped until the unsafe conditions are corrected, resulting in longer waits for other drivers. And, the unsafe driver could possibly be injured by moving machinery or injure a member of the construction crew. If a worker or motorist is injured, the road could be closed for even a longer amount of time while the medical emergency is dealt with.

Motorists should also use caution when there are no flaggers present, but they are traveling through an obvious construction zone. Obey the posted speed limit, and do not cross into the oncoming lane of traffic to get around crews or equipment.

Here are some other common-sense tips from WSDOT for traveling through work zones:

•  Slow down, pay attention, and stay calm. The crews aren't there to personally inconvenience you. They are there to improve the roads for everyone.

•  Merge to avoid a lane closure as soon as possible. Motorists can help maintain traffic flow and posted speeds by moving to the appropriate lane at first notice of an approaching work zone;

•  Try an alternate route;

•  Expect delays, and plan for them by leaving early to reach your destination on time; and

•  Some work zones such as those involving road striping, patching, or shoulder mowing have moving equipment and mobile crews. Just because you don't see the workers immediately after you see the warning signs doesn't mean they are not out there. Observe the posted signs until you see the one that says: "END ROAD WORK."

Four road closures begin this week 

Work will begin Monday, July 12 on four road projects in different areas of King County that could impact travel for local motorists. Each closure is for a different duration:

•  Novelty Hill Road, east of Redmond, between West Snoqualmie Valley Road and 243rd Avenue Northeast, will be closed for four weeks for safety and drainage improvements. Motorists should use State Route 203 and Woodinville-Duvall Road as a detour route. Alternate routes include Trilogy Parkway, Northeast 133rd Street, Redmond Ridge Drive and Union Hill Road;

•  Dockton Road on Vashon Island, between Point Robinson Road and 75th Avenue Southwest, will be closed through Friday, July 30 for culvert replacement. Motorists can detour via Southwest Point Robinson Road, Southwest 240th Street, and 75th Avenue Southwest. Bus passengers who use the Route 119 should check Metro Online for reroute information;

•  238th Way Southeast south of Issaquah, between Southeast 96th Street and Southeast 98th Place, will be closed through Thursday, July 15 for culvert replacement. Motorists can detour via Issaquah-Hobart Road;

•  Fish Hatchery Road near Fall City, between 356th Drive Southeast and 372nd Avenue Southeast, will be closed through Friday, July 23 for culvert replacement. Motorists can detour via State Route 202.