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When things get tight, drive in staggered formation

20 May 2025
Under normal circumstances, traffic on highways is generally quiet and low-risk – yet when a construction site is encountered, maximum concentration is suddenly required. Narrowed lanes, shorter distances between vehicles, lane bends, a jungle of signs and construction traffic all increase the risk of accidents. On German highways, for example, around 2,575 people were injured and 16 killed in accidents at roadworks in 2023, according to the Federal Statistical Office.
One common cause is a lack of clearance around the sides and fronts of vehicles. This often results in grazing damage and rear-end collisions. Studies have shown that driving at an inappropriate speed in construction areas also significantly increases the risk of accidents. Other causes include errors when changing lanes and poor visibility in dark or wet conditions. There are also particular areas that present danger, such as transitions into the opposite lane, turns, entry and exit areas, and temporary entrances without acceleration lanes.
Accident researchers from DEKRA recommend that drivers fully focus from the moment they first approach a construction site, making sure to avoid any distractions and to stick to the speed limits in force.

Under normal circumstances, traffic on highways is generally quiet and low-risk – yet when a construction site is encountered, maximum concentration is suddenly required. Narrowed lanes, shorter distances between vehicles, lane bends, a jungle of signs and construction traffic all increase the risk of accidents. On German highways, for example, around 2,575 people were injured and 16 killed in accidents at roadworks in 2023, according to the Federal Statistical Office.

One common cause is a lack of clearance around the sides and fronts of vehicles. This often results in grazing damage and rear-end collisions. Studies have shown that driving at an inappropriate speed in construction areas also significantly increases the risk of accidents. Other causes include errors when changing lanes and poor visibility in dark or wet conditions. There are also particular areas that present danger, such as transitions into the opposite lane, turns, entry and exit areas, and temporary entrances without acceleration lanes.

Accident researchers from DEKRA recommend that drivers fully focus from the moment they first approach a construction site, making sure to avoid any distractions and to stick to the speed limits in force.

says Stefanie Ritter from DEKRA’s accident research team.
The lanes can often only be as wide as 2.50 meters – when these become particularly narrow, it is safer to avoid overtaking or changing lanes and to drive in a staggered formation instead. This avoids the risk of frequent grazing collisions. Dangerous situations can also occur if a vehicle breaks down in the construction site area. In such cases, where possible, you should aim to head for the next passing place and switch on your hazard warning lights. In these narrow sections, it is particularly important to only get out on the side facing away from traffic and, if possible, to seek a safe position behind a guardrail.
The emergency lanes are also important to consider. “On narrow roads, it’s usually not possible for emergency vehicles to drive straight down the middle of traffic,” says Ritter. “Therefore, in emergencies, it’s important that all vehicles drive as far to the right or left as possible to create a staggered formation, with sufficient clearance to allow an emergency vehicle to weave its way through.”
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