With summer comes road work that cannot be done at other times of the year. At the same time, traffic is increasing.
Many motorists are annoyed by the reduced speed and waiting time, and let the frustration spread to those who work along the road. It can endanger the lives of road workers.
Road director Ingrid Dahl Hovland of the Norwegian Public Roads Administration and director of the Association of Mechanical Engineers, Julie Brodtkorb, are now asking motorists to step up.
“Unfortunately, it happens all too often that road workers are yelled at, pointed at, turned over and even hit by annoyed motorists,” says road director Ingrid Dahl Hovland.
And Julie Brodtkorb follows up:
– Several of our members often experience unpleasant situations along the way. Especially in the start of the construction period. When the driving pattern is changed for motorists, then we see that the risk is greatest that something can happen. Putting out the first sign about road work can be risky.
Everyone is going home
– All those who are there to make the roads safer and better so we have a simpler everyday travel, will come home safely when the working day is over. Keep that in mind the next time you get annoyed that you have to drive a little slower or wait for a green light or a guide car, says Ingrid Dahl Hovland, in a press release.
For traffic routing and road marking alone, about 300 adverse events have been registered since 1 January 2020 until June 2021. The figure is taken from the Norwegian Public Roads Administration’s register of adverse events.
Of these 300, several of the incidents are very serious. Last year, among other things, three traffic conductors were hit while they were at work. Two of the incidents were so serious that personal injury was registered.
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Road director Ingrid Dahl Hovland in the Norwegian Public Roads Administration (left) and director in the Association of Mechanical Engineers, Julie Brodtkorb, ask motorists to pay attention to those who work on the road. (Photo: Norwegian Public Roads Administration / Bård Gudim)
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Was hit from behind
One of the most serious incidents is this:
When conducting on E18, the conductor stood in the roadway and stopped traffic from his side. Behind the conductor was a driver who drove the conductor down from behind. The conductor was hit in the legs and flew in the air before landing on the hood and into the windshield.
The windshield shattered in the collision. The conductor was conscious and an ambulance was called. The traffic conductor was transported to the hospital.
This incident from June last year resulted in personal injury to the traffic conductor and sick leave.
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Asphalt work is a regular occurrence in the summer, when delays can quickly occur.
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Other examples of dangerous traffic when working along the road:
- May 2020, rv. 35 at Hønefoss: Motorist ignored stop lever and drove straight past. Our crew stopped the car and the driver was cursed. He sat inside the car with the windows up and cursed while taking a picture with his mobile phone. Unpleasant experience.
- June 2020, rv. 7 Vestland: A car with a trailer makes a very ugly overtaking in a left turn and with the car opposite. Only the attention of others makes it go well. Otherwise, there are many lorries that pass us at high speed without slowing down. This is a problem that is only getting worse.
- June 2020, E6 Dombås: Cars drive on the wrong side of the roundabout in the oncoming lane to get past waiting cars. The crew stops several cars and makes them back up. The drivers react with anger.
- March 2021, E39 Trøndelag: When the traffic conductor had given the go-ahead signal, a car began to drive past some trucks in front of it at high speed inside the work zone. The traffic conductor on the opposite side had to jump away to avoid being hit. It could have gone bad if the conductor had not been aware.
- May 2021, rv. 3 Elverum: Traffic was directed when a car decided to drive past our conductor at high speed and drive straight through a set up barrier. Perceived as unpleasant and dangerous for our man
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Remember when driving through a road work area:
- Be patient and show consideration
- Follow signs
- Follow the traffic conductors’ signals
- Wait for the green light
- Follow the guide car
- Follow general traffic rules – they also apply in a road work area
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This article was first published on Broom.no
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