Tarmac is backing the call for motorists to drive more carefully through roadworks and to respect highways works as new data has revealed a concerning rise in accidents and cases of reported abuse.
Figures released by Highways England as part of national Road Safety Week (16-22 November 2020) show that over the past three years road workers have reported around 6,500 incidents of drivers going through cones and into roadworks sites, as well as a 10 per cent increase in cases of abuse.
As a result, motorists are being urged to respect road workers, slow down near roadworks and obey speed limits and signs, as well as consider that just although workers may not be visible it does not mean they are not present and vulnerable nearby.
The new campaign follows Tarmac’s recent support for the Stamp It Out initiative run by Safer Highways, which similarly is aiming to provide greater protection for people working on the UK’s road network and clamp down on abuse by making it a specific criminal offence to assault highways workers.
Paul Fleetham, managing director of Tarmac’s contracting business said: “Road Safety Week represents an important opportunity to not only recognise the outstanding contributions the UK’s highways workers make to keep the country moving, but a reminder that we all need to take extra care through necessary roadworks as well as always being respectful to the workforce.
“At Tarmac we’re fully behind both Highways England’s and Stamp It Out’s calls for more protection for those working on our roads – everyone should have the right to feel safe at work and it’s only right that we support the physical and mental wellbeing of everyone across our industry.”
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.”
As part of its campaign, Highways England has also published CCTV footage showing vehicles careering into roadworks sites, putting drivers and roadworks in danger.
More information including the collection of clips is available via its website here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/shocking-footage-reveals-dangers-of-not-paying-attention-in-roadworks
