Motorists Asked to Slow Down in Construction Zones

TRANSPORTATION/PUBLIC WORKS--Motorists Asked to Slow Down in Construction Zones

The Department of Transportation and Public Works is asking motorists to slow down in highway construction zones across the province.

Highway workers are upset after several close calls at sites across the province, including one recently at the Highway 102- 103 interchange. A speeding car passed a tractor-trailer in a construction zone and barely missed hitting workers.

"These people working on the highways have a right to go home at the end of the day. We don't want anyone taking that away from them," said Jim Talbot, head of highway operations in the Halifax County area for the Department of Transportation and Public Works.

The province has taken steps to improve safety for workers this year, including passing legislation that increased fines for speeding in temporary work zones.

The province is also considering legislation that would strengthen protections, including demerit points for disobeying traffic control persons.

A consultant will also be hired shortly to examine ways to improve safety for workers in temporary work zones. The consultant will talk to people with interested in highway safety and review procedures and practices within the Temporary Workplace Traffic Control Manual. The manual is the code that governs temporary construction zones. The consultant's report is to be completed by early April.

The department also repeated a provincewide awareness campaign this summer to educate motorists about the need for caution in highway and road construction zones.

Motorists are urged to slow down when entering construction zones and to obey all traffic control signs and speed limits.

NOTE: A list of construction zone safety tips is available below.

Top Ten Construction Zone Safety Tips

1. Slow down! Reduce your speed in work zones. You will greatly reduce the risk of accident to yourself, fellow motorists, and construction workers.

2. Expect the unexpected! Changes occur regularly in any construction zone, along any road. Normal speed limits may be reduced, traffic lanes may be changed, and people and/or vehicles may be working on or near the road.

3. Be alert! Work zones are constantly changing- read the signs every time you drive through. Pay close attention even in familiar work zones; don't take anything for granted, changes in traffic patterns and the work zone environment occur regularly.

4. Pay attention to the signs! Diamond-shaped orange signs, flashing arrow panels, and other signs are generally posted in advance of, and throughout, road construction projects.

Some work zones are mobile: just because you don't see the workers immediately after you see the warning signs doesn't mean they're not out there.

5. Watch out! Construction crews and traffic control people need you to be attentive.

Your safety and theirs safety depends on how you heed work zone signals and signs.

You are responsible for one another, remember: their safety is your safety.

6. Stay calm. Work zones aren't there to inconvenience you, they're necessary to improve the roads for everyone.

7. Be co-operative. Obey the traffic control person's commands. Merge when necessary, doing so in an orderly fashion. With your co-operation, the traffic flow will remain smooth and efficient.

8. Be cautious. Rear-end collisions are the most common work zone accidents. Remember to leave plenty of braking time between you and the car in front of you. Also keep a safe distance between your vehicle and traffic barriers, trucks, construction equipment and workers.

9. Be courteous. Be considerate of the drivers around you. You will be shown the same level of courtesy that you exhibit. Also remember to be patient and co-operative with fellow motorists; don't crowd, speed, or get distracted.

10. Plan ahead. On routes under construction, expect delays; plan for them and leave early to reach your destination on time or try an alternate route.