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6,500 vehicles have driven into roadworks in the last
three years
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Reported abuse cases have risen by 10% despite the
lower traffic flows in 2020
Highways England is urging motorists to drive carefully
through roadworks as it reveals new research and shocking footage
that show the dangers of not paying attention.
Latest data shows road workers have reported around 6,500
incidents over three years of drivers going through cones and
into roadworks sites - an average of 175 a month.
The data also revealed that reported abuse
cases have risen by 10% in 2020 compared to the same period last
year, despite lower traffic flows.
As incidents are under-reported, it is likely that, in
reality, the figures are higher.
Today, to mark Road Safety Week, Highways England, the
Government company responsible for the country’s motorways and
major A roads has released a series of CCTV clips showing
vehicles careering into roadworks sites, putting drivers and
roadworks in danger.
And it is encouraging road users to take care in
roadworks.
Mark Byard, Director of Health and Safety at Highways
England says:
“We appreciate drivers get frustrated by roadworks but
also that they understand the need for them, to keep families
connected and the country in business. Each month we have around
175 reports of vehicles driving into roadworks, putting both road
users and our roadworkers at risk. When you are driving through
roadworks, please pay close attention and keep everyone
safe.”
A collection of clips released today include one of
a driver ignoring a road closure
only to find that the road was closed to allow a crane to
dismantle a bridge.
Other examples show how a lack of concentration can lead to
drivers veering into the cones or even following roadworks
vehicles into the roadworks.
Highways England plans maintenance and improvement projects
to allow works to proceed in the safest and most cost-effective
way, with minimum disruption to road users.
As part of Road Safety Week Highways England is asking road
users to:
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Respect road workers – slow down near road works and obey
speed limits and signs.
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Consider that just because workers aren’t visible, it
doesn’t mean they are not present. Many operations take place
at night, but also applies when visibility is restricted by
works vehicles and equipment.
Roads Minister, Baroness Vere, said:
“Our road workers are key to ensuring Britain’s road
network runs smoothly and keeps us connected. Careless and
reckless driving not only puts them at risk, but also other road
users.
“It goes without saying that when travelling through
roadworks, stick to the speed limit, pay attention and respect
road workers.”
James Haluch, Managing Director at Amey Highways and chair
of the group focusing on roadworker safety says:
“In 2019, in Amey alone we recorded 753 vehicles
driving into our road closures. Worse still, one of our roadworks
vehicles are driven into every 4 or so months. Each one of these
results in injuries to our people and it is generally the case
that the physical injuries heal far quicker than the mental
health ones. A few moments lapse of concentration could be
life changing, please give the road your full
attention, particularly through roadworks where there may be a
temporary change to the road layout.”
You can see the CCTV video footage here:
GFD20_0007 Roadworker Safety
video_low res 3.mp4
