Slow down, pay attention and move over.
The 14th annual BC launched Monday morning (May 13) with a traffic enforcement event in South Surrey to increase awareness of roadside worker safety.
B次元官网网址淓very spring we do this to highlight the safety of roadside workers. ItB次元官网网址檚 not specific to police B次元官网网址� it is all roadside workers B次元官网网址� it could be the tow truck driver, the landscaper B次元官网网址� it could be people in public works,B次元官网网址� said BC Highway Patrol Sgt. Patrick Davies, as vehicles whizzed by on 24th Avenue.
B次元官网网址淲e want people to be aware of the law B次元官网网址� the B次元官网网址楽low down, move over law,B次元官网网址� which has been on the books for well over 10 years.B次元官网网址�
Many people profess not to know about the law, Davies said, which has been in effect for more than two decades and compels approaching drivers to slow down and move over for any official vehicle stopped at the side of the highway that is displaying flashing lights: red, blue or yellow.
B次元官网网址淲e want people to obey flag people B次元官网网址� to take a breath. Everyone is in a hurry, everyone has somewhere more important to be right now,B次元官网网址� Davies said. B次元官网网址淏ut this is (roadside workersB次元官网网址�) workspace B次元官网网址� all these people have families, and they just want to go home safely.B次元官网网址�
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A joint provincial initiative managed by Road Safety at Work and supported by the Work Zone Safety Alliance, WorkSafeBC, and the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, the initiative happens every year through the end of summer.
Trace Acres, program director of Road Safety at Work, noted there are still injuries and deaths to roadside workers across the province every year.
B次元官网网址淥ver the last 10 years, from 2014 to 2023, there were nine people killed and 251 injured seriously enough to miss time off work,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 typically the result of people driving too fast or (distracted driving).B次元官网网址�
With flag people set up around some municipal workers near 163 Street and 24 Avenue, police had an undercover officer pose as a roadside worker, who could then alert officers ahead of any distractions or infractions.
In the two hours at the roadside site, from 9 to 11 a.m., officer issued 42 violation tickets, with at least 31 of the tickets issued for cellphone use. Other common violations include speeding and drivers not using seatbelts, Davies said.
B次元官网网址淯nfortunately, it is a reality that every year there are people injured and killed. Almost invariably, it is inattention and disobedience that causes this,B次元官网网址� said Davies.
B次元官网网址淲e want people to be courteous, be kind and be patient.B次元官网网址�
