With Memorial Day in the rear view mirror, the unofficial start of summer has begun. For Georgia Department of Transportation, summer road construction is gearing up across Georgia.  The Department announced plans for an active 2018 summer construction season, with hundreds of construction and maintenance projects along interstates and state routes across Georgia. These include Express Lanes, highway widenings, bridge replacements, interchange improvements and maintenance projects that support Georgia’s economy and improve mobility, safety and travel times for motorists.

This summer, motorists should take special note that Georgia’s new Hands-Free Law goes into effect July 1st. Among other things, the law says that if a driver must use a mobile phone while driving, it must be done with hands-free technology. The driver cannot hold or support a phone with their hand or body. For additional information about the Hands-Free Law, visit http://www.headsupgeorgia.com/handsfree-law/.

Both in and out of work zones, distracted driving is known to be a primary cause of crashes. In advance of the new law, Georgia DOT urges motorists to develop new habits now and to put down mobile devices to minimize distractions. Additionally, many fatalities in crashes are not wearing seatbelts – therefore motorists and passengers are urged to buckle up. Finally, passengers are asked to ensure they don’t divert the driver’s attention from the road.

Among many others, major impact projects in the metro Atlanta area include the anticipated completion of the Northwest Corridor Express Lanes project late summer; the first two phases of the widening, reconstruction and relocation of State Route 92 in Douglas and Paulding counties; and the resurfacing of Interstate 75 in Cobb and Fulton counties.

Major impact statewide projects include construction of two bridges on Island Expressway over the Wilmington River in Chatham County; the continued widening and reconstruction of SR 400 in Forsyth County (with an anticipated completion in October 2018); the Talbotton Road safety and congestion relief road widening in Muscogee County; and the resurfacing of I-75 in Lowndes County.

While Georgia DOT strives to limit impacts to the public on all projects, motorists should nevertheless prepare for longer than normal traffic delays. GDOT has launched a Summer 2018 Construction webpage to inform motorists about key summer construction activities. On a rotating basis, the page profiles major-impact statewide projects. Visit www.dot.ga.gov/BuildSmart/Projects/Pages/SummerConstruction.aspx.

Here are tips to surviving summer construction:

• Plan ahead - Before getting on the road, call 511 or visit www.511ga.org for real-time information about active construction, incidents and road conditions. The 511 website provides a complete list of summer construction projects.

• Drive Alert Arrive Alive - Buckle up, put the phone down and drive alert with no distractions.

• Use extra caution in work zones - Pay attention, slow down, and watch for workers.

• Seek traffic-reducing commute options - like carpool or public transit. Visit www.511ga.org  or http://GaCommuteOptions.com.