When a construction crew leaves a raw, un-ramped steel road plate sitting in the middle of a lane, they usually think they’ve addressed the problem by covering the open trench.

But a recent news broadcast from DeKalb County shows a much more dangerous secondary hazard that these plates create.

Look closely at this screenshot from CBS 46. To avoid hitting the blunt steel lip of an un-ramped plate on a wet, slick day, a driver completely crosses the double yellow lines into the oncoming traffic lane.

For municipalities, utility companies, and general contractors, this image reveals a chilling reality: Drivers fear what an unsecured road plate will do to their car so much that they will willingly swerve into oncoming traffic to avoid it.

The Ripple Effect of "Plate Avoidance"

When your crew relies on traditional, failing cold patch asphalt—or worse, leaves a plate completely naked with no ramp transition—you aren't just endangering the vehicle that hits it. You are changing driver behavior in a highly dangerous way:

1. Head-on Collision Risks: As seen in Tucker, drivers will cross lanes blindly on two-lane roads. If an oncoming truck had been coming over that hill, a minor road work patch would have instantly turned into a fatal head-on crash.

2. Panic Swerving: Drivers who notice the plate at the last second will jerk their steering wheels, risking side-swiping adjacent vehicles, hitting pedestrians, or veering off the shoulder into ditches.

Keeping Drivers in Their Lanes with Plate Locks

The dangerous behavior captured in this news report is entirely preventable. Plate Locks eliminate the fear factor that causes drivers to swerve in the first place.

By replacing temporary, eroding asphalt with our highly visible, heavy-duty modular ramping system, you solve the root problem:

• No More Swerving: Plate Locks create a smooth, engineered, gradual incline. When drivers see a clean, professional ramp, they maintain their speed and stay safely within their designated lane.

• Bright Visual Warning: The distinct design serves as an immediate visual cue to drivers to slow down naturally, without forcing them into a panic-induced lane change.

Secure Your Job Site Before the Next News Report

Leaving road plates bare or wrapped in failing cold patch asphalt is a massive gamble. Ensure your field crews have the right equipment to secure every perimeter perfectly—whether it's a single utility cutout or a massive multi-plate mainline setup.

Credit : 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=goyLGJEiP0w