Crews count on drivers to do their part for everyone’s safety

Staying safe on winter roads isn’t just about protecting yourself. It’s also about recognizing the risk your vehicle poses to people working on or beside the road in adverse conditions.

Rain, snow, ice, fog, and less daylight make roadside work zones harder to navigate and more dangerous for crews working just feet from passing traffic.

Crews are often performing essential work that helps keep roads and services safe for drivers — from repairing storm-damaged streets to restoring power to towing stranded vehicles. Much of the work can’t wait until spring and often happens quickly, in poor visibility and slippery conditions.

“Work zones require drivers to process more information at any time of the year,” said Trace Acres, spokesperson for Road Safety at Work. “Add winter weather and distraction, and the margin for error disappears very quickly.”

Jamie Meegan, regional manager with ATS Traffic, says speed is one of the biggest threats to worker safety. Distracted driving is another. He sees many people using their phones and onboard devices while driving through a work zone.

In the Kamloops area and surrounding region, TELUS technician Kelly Beaven spends much of his time working on or beside the road. Winter weather, he says, can quickly turn an already risky job into a dangerous one.

“Passing large rigs throw up a lot of mist, slush, and snow, creating disturbances that pull the air along with them and interfere with the work and lessen visibility,” he explained. “Snow piles up on the roads so shoulders and a safe place to pull over disappear.”

In the Lower Mainland, traffic control supervisor Paul Tremblay of ATS Traffic says poor visibility and slick surfaces make driver behaviour even more critical.

What puts workers most at risk are “drivers not obeying signs, rushing, and especially being distracted and not paying attention,” he adds. “I’ve had drivers drive right through my stop/slow paddle.”

Adjusting your driving for the conditions is the key to protecting yourself, your passengers, and workers in roadside work zones.

Road Safety at Work offers the following tips, whether you’re driving for personal reasons or for work:

• Slow down when approaching a work zone and drive at or below the posted speed limit.

• Pay attention and leave your phone alone.

• Obey road signs, traffic control devices, and traffic control people.

• Stay alert. Visibility may be reduced by weather or darkness.

• Follow directions and be patient. Delays are temporary but injuries can be permanent.

• Give workers as much space as possible. Even a small buffer can save a life.

B.C.’s Slow Down, Move Over law applies whenever you approach vehicles with red, blue, or amber lights flashing. You’re required to reduce speed and move your vehicle to the left to increase the space between you and the workers and emergency vehicles.

A few moments of patience can go a long way in helping protect workers and keeping roads and services flowing smoothly.

Review Road Safety at Work’s tips for driving in work zones for more information.

e-KNOW file photo

Road Safety at Work

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