A new survey shows B.C. drivers are putting roadside workers’ lives at risk.
The results of the survey, which was commissioned by the British Columbia Automobile Association (BCAA), indicate that unsafe driver behaviours – law breaking, rubbernecking, and speeding past roadside scenes – are placing roadside workers in danger.
Over the past decade, more than 240 roadside workers have been struck by passing vehicles and 15 have died.
“I have at least one close call a week, where I’m helping someone whose car has broken down and a driver speeds by just inches from me,” says Al Lam, tow truck driver and roadside assistance service tech with BCAA, in a release. “I can actually feel the gust of air from the car on my back.”
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Almost half of the participants (48 per cent) said they have witnessed drivers speed by a roadside scene and 46 per cent have seen drivers too close to the scene, with 43 per cent noting abrupt lane changes.
The survey aimed to remind drivers how to safely drive past a roadside scene and to improve awareness of the “Slow Sown, Move Over” law.
B.C. law requires drivers to slow down and move over for any vehicle stopped alongside the road that has flashing red, blue or yellow lights to give roadside workers enough room to safely do their jobs.
According to the law, motorists must slow their speed to 70 km/h when in an 80 km/h or over zone, and 40 km/h when in an under-80 km/h zone. If travelling on a multi-lane road, and it’s safe to do so, drivers must also move into the other lane going in the same direction to drive past any stopped vehicle with flashing lights. Failure to do so can result in a $173 fine and three demerit points.
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The survey also shows that while majority of participants (84 per cent) claim to be aware of the “Slow Down, Move Over law”, but when put to the test, they came up short on what the law entails.
Over 80 per cent incorrectly identified the speed reduction required by law, 59 per cent were unaware of which coloured flashing lights are indicators to follow the law and almost half (43 per cent) don’t know that they need to change lanes.
Here’s a breakdown of results on why drivers are so careless when passing roadside scenes:
- 78 per cent blamed rushing and distracted driving
- 77 per cent believe that drivers know there is a law, but don’t know what to do
- 64 per cent believe drivers know the law, but choose to ignore it
“Ultimately, it’s about driver education and empathy,” Lam says. “All we ask is if you see something on the road that might slow you down, understand that it’s probably someone like me, doing my job at roadside; someone who just wants to get home safely to his family.”
The survey was commissioned by BCAA and conducted by Insights West. The results are based on an online study conducted from July 13 to July 19 among a representative sample of 803 British Columbians adult who drive.
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