Rijkswaterstaat is kicking off this week with a special social media campaign against so-called “barrier divers”, road users who ignore a barrier’s signs and then quickly dive under it. According to a spokesperson, it is particularly important at this busy time of year that road users consider this. “It’s really dangerous,” says Monica, an operator at the Schellingwouderbrug in Amsterdam.
Every week, according to Rijkswaterstaat, a reef is damaged beyond repair somewhere in the country by so-called “barrier divers”. Misconduct by road users also causes increasing complaints from staff.
Under the motto “Are you really in such a hurry?” must Village sensitize road users. It indicates to “reef divers” that reefs exist for a reason and that ignoring them is life-threatening.
The 63-year-old operator Monica recognizes herself in that image. She has been operating the Schellingwouder Bridge from her traffic control post in Schellingwoude for more than seventeen years and, in her own words, she knows “every lock and bridge”.
Monica: “People need to realize that all the safety measures are there for themselves. A bridge is usually open for no more than five minutes.”
“Oh what have I done”
While Monica keeps an eye on all the screens, she says every day with bated breath to open the Schellingerwoude bridge. Just last week, for example, when a woman on a bicycle ignored the flashing barrier and rode under it. “Midway through she panicked and she stopped. As if only then did she seem to realize ‘Oh, what have I done.’ I kindly asked her through the microphone to leave the bridge as soon as possible.” The woman then resumed pedaling quickly. Monica: “9 times out of 10 it’s good, but when it’s bad, it’s terribly bad.”
“She left the wheelchair and came back herself”
As an operator, Monica and her colleagues experience the craziest things. “A few years ago, a woman pushed one wheelchair come on, passed the barriers, but still in a panic. She left the wheelchair get up and go back. You see it often. People are shocked and suddenly realize, ‘What am I doing?'”
Responsibility
Luckily Monica has never had serious accidents during her work as an operator. However, she is concerned about people’s overconfidence. She wants to share her story about her so that road users realize that real people are behind the bridge technology. “Because I also want to come home with a feeling of peace after work.”
That’s why she’s very happy with the campaign and hopes people will reconsider and assume their responsibilities by not “diving” under a barrier.
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