It seems some drivers in Saskatoon are in a hurry to get from point A to point B and in doing so, are not respecting work zones and abusing crews working on improving city streets.
“Our workers are reporting regularly on two dangerous and continuing trends,” said Angela Gardiner, the city’s director of transportation.
“They often encounter drivers in a hurry who move work zone signs to take a short cut, and in some instances when the worker asks them to follow the detour in place, they are met with anger and abusive language.”
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Officials said regardless of where the work zone is, there are rules to follow – both for the safety of crews and drivers.
“Our employees face many hazards; drivers, cyclists and pedestrians entering work zones should not be one of those,” Gardiner said.
“Workers need to be able to focus on their job and not be watching for traffic, guiding traffic, continually replacing signs to their appropriate locations or being bombarded with verbal abuse.
“We need everyone to respect the work zone and the workers at all times whether they are in a vehicle, on a bike or walking.”
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Officials are reminding drivers that work zones are in effect 24 hours a day, regardless of whether any work is on-going, and remains in place until signs are removed by city crews.
Fines for speeding in construction zones start at $210.
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