Road workers from Balfour Beatty are supporting a Highways Agency campaign to raise awareness of the dangers they face maintaining the strategic road network.
New figures this year show that 13 road workers lost their lives in the course of their duties over the past decade.
Road workers operate just metres away from fast moving traffic carrying out tasks such as carriageway surfacing, litter collection, drain inspection, clearing up after accidents and line painting.
The Highways Agency campaign features compelling footage showing the risks faced by road workers through the personal stories of workers who narrowly escaped serious injury when inattentive drivers did not slow down.
Gordy Smith (pictured), a Balfour Beatty road worker on the M60 smart motorway scheme in Manchester, said: “Most of the public are aware but there are a few that don’t seem to care and it’s those we want to speak out to. We want them to be aware of their speed and to cut it down for safety sake. Nine times out of ten they’re going from A to B and want to get there as soon as possible.”
Ian Spellacey, Balfour Beatty highways services director, added: “We want to ensure that no member of our workforce comes to any harm when carrying out work on our roads. So we are pleased to be supporting the Highways Agency in sending a clear message to drivers – do not risk lives and wreck families for the sake of a few seconds saved on your journey.”
The Highways Agency’s advice for driving safely through road works includes keeping within the speed limit, getting into the correct lane in good time, concentrating on the road ahead, being alert for works traffic and road workers, keeping a safe distance and observing all signs.
See footage of a lorry driving through a highways maintenance site below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PLREwUKImD7Mt1wEUZAuoUdrpt4d-OCB1d&v=ABuVWdmYFno
