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.
害羞草研究所淓very spring we do this to highlight the safety of roadside workers. It害羞草研究所檚 not specific to police 害羞草研究所� it is all roadside workers 害羞草研究所� it could be the tow truck driver, the landscaper 害羞草研究所� it could be people in public works,害羞草研究所� said BC Highway Patrol Sgt. Patrick Davies, as vehicles whizzed by on 24th Avenue.
害羞草研究所淲e want people to be aware of the law 害羞草研究所� the 害羞草研究所楽low down, move over law,害羞草研究所� which has been on the books for well over 10 years.害羞草研究所�
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.
害羞草研究所淲e want people to obey flag people 害羞草研究所� to take a breath. Everyone is in a hurry, everyone has somewhere more important to be right now,害羞草研究所� Davies said. 害羞草研究所淏ut this is (roadside workers害羞草研究所�) workspace 害羞草研究所� all these people have families, and they just want to go home safely.害羞草研究所�
READ ALSO:
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.
害羞草研究所淥ver the last 10 years, from 2014 to 2023, there were nine people killed and 251 injured seriously enough to miss time off work,害羞草研究所� he said. 害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 typically the result of people driving too fast or (distracted driving).害羞草研究所�
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.
害羞草研究所淯nfortunately, it is a reality that every year there are people injured and killed. Almost invariably, it is inattention and disobedience that causes this,害羞草研究所� said Davies.
害羞草研究所淲e want people to be courteous, be kind and be patient.害羞草研究所�
