Respect Roadworkers, Insists the Highway Agency
The Highways Agency has issued a warning to all vehicle owners driving through areas where roadworks are being carried out. The agency has issued this warning keeping in mind the safety of the drivers as well as the workers who work on such roadways.
The casualty figure of roadworkers between 2003 and 2008 stood at 11 while the number of serious injuries were close to 100 on motorways and major A roads in England. The Agency authorities further reported that over 4000 road workers, i.e., one worker per mile of the Highways Agency’s network, risk their lives when they trust over 18 million road users.
It has been widely known that roadworkers work in dangerous environment and hence deserve respect and consideration from the drivers, said Derek Turner, the Director of Network Operations in the Highways Agency. He said that at the speed of 70 mph, it saves just 10 seconds of time to drive through a half mile stretch as compared to driving at 50 mph. If the drivers are careful and slow down while crossing roadworks patches, the safety to both the drivers and roadworkers can be ensured, he added.
Explaining further, he stressed that cones, speed restrictions, barriers and signs are meant for protecting the roadworkers from dangers and in keeping the drivers safe, and hence the latter should be cautious while driving and should obey all speed regulations to ensure their own safety as well as the safety of roadworkers.
In 2008 the Highways Agency released a DVD named ’Respect’ to highlight the reasons why drivers should respect roadworkers and the consequences their actions would have.
In my city (Edinburgh) there are TONS of roadworkers at the moment. We are getting trams put in and its a total nightmare! i have yet to speak to someone who actaully wants trams in teh City.