Road construction is a reality in Vancouver and in an effort to protect traffic controllers, starting today police will be stepping up enforcement around construction zones.
Vancouver police are partnering with WorkSafeBC in asking drivers to slow down in construction zones, stay off your mobile phone and pay attention to traffic controllers.
Every year traffic controllers, also known as flaggers, are hit by vehicles. Between 2005 and 2012, 51 flaggers were hit and injured by vehicles while on the job – with 61 per cent of those accidents resulting in serious injuries. In the same time frame, three traffic controllers were killed and in November 2013 another flagger lost their life.
Get breaking National news
“They are being struck by vehicles, they’re being seriously injured and they’re being killed on the job,” Al Johnson, WorkSafeBC Vice-President, Prevention Services said in a press conference this morning.
“We want to prevent injuries, we want to prevent fatalities, we want every traffic control person to go home safely.”
Drivers should expect to see more VPD out and enforcing safe construction zones by handing out tickets for speeding, distracted and aggressive driving.
The costs associated with unsafe driving in construction zones are:
• Disobeying a construction speed sign could cost you ($138.00)
• Using an electronic device while driving ($167.00)
• Texting or emailing while driving ($167.00)
• Driving without due care and attention ($368.00)
Comments