Tuesday night, July 17, I was on my way home to Sherman from Dyer Brook. It was pouring rain so hard the visibility was limited. I knew there was construction going on in Island Falls, so I kept looking for a flagger ahead and work area signs.

As I came upon a hill leading into town there were no signs anywhere about a flagger ahead or that it was a work area. As I came over the top of the hill, doing only 45 mph in a 55 mph zone, there was a flagger in the road with the stop sign showing. I immediately put on my brakes to stop but started to slide toward the flagger. When I realized I was going to hit him I decided to cut my wheel and head for the ditch.

I finally got the car under control and managed to stay on the road and come to a stop. The flagger had started running in the opposite direction, in fear he was going to be hit. Once the flagger realized I had stopped he came back to check on me. I told him I was sorry, but that there were no signs indicating there was a flagger ahead in a work area. He said, “Yes ma’am, they’ve picked up the signs already.” The flagger was then radioed and told there was no traffic coming from the other direction and the paving equipment was off the road.

I started down the hill and as I got to the bottom I came upon a paver with five cars behind it. The first car had already started coming toward me in my lane. Where was the flagger? When I got to the bottom of the hill there was no flagger to be seen. I think Lane Construction should be more careful to keep all the signs up until all those in the work area is completely done their job. Also, perhaps they should speak to their flaggers and explain their job better to them. A serious accident was avoided this time, but next time they may not be so lucky.

Ann Lane

Sherman