Following several dangerous incidents last week involving motorists not slowing down around road work, Road and Maritime Services is calling for people to slow down and take care – for their own safety and for the safety of road workers.
Director of Regional Maintenance John Dinan said while work is necessary to build new roads and keep our existing ones safe, road work can be risky for both motorists and workers.
Thursday night saw three vehicles involved in a traffic collision around a work site south of Bateman’s Bay on the Princes Highway. This followed an earlier incident at the same site, where a member of public drove into the work zone over the reduced speed limit eventually abandoning the vehicle when it became stuck in an excavated area.
Roads and Maritime traffic controller Mark Bush who was on site at Batemans Bay and witnessed the incidents said: “We all want to go home at the end of the day, if motorists stick to the reduced speed limit and follow our directions then we can make sure that we all get home safely.”
“This is a timely reminder to motorists to take extra care around road work, and adjust their driving to the changed road and traffic conditions. Even if there are no road workers in sight, it doesn’t mean there are no risks while driving through the area. Slowing down around roadworks generally only add a minute or two to journey times but greatly improves safety for road users and road workers,” Mr Dinan said.
“Reduced speed zones and other changed traffic conditions are put in place for a reason – so everyone gets home safely – motorists and road workers,” John Dinan said.
Over a 12 month period during 2017/2018 – 13 road workers were involved in significant incidents and near-misses.
“Road workers feels concerned for their and the traveling public’s safety when motorists ignore traffic control devices and signs put in place to manage risks associated with work near traffic.
“Precautions motorists should take around work sites include: slowing down to the reduced speed limit, driving to match the conditions, looking out for road workers, following road worker instructions, following the direction of all signs and keeping a safe distance from all vehicles, barriers, equipment, orange cones and road workers.
“We must all work together to do everything in our power to push the number of deaths and crashes on NSW roads towards zero.”
