Source: New Zealand Transport Agency
Top of the South drivers are being urged to cool down, calm down, and slow down when driving through road work sites.
Rob Service, System Manager Nelson/Tasman says with multiple parts of the state highway network needing repairs following the winter floods, contractors are seeing some unsafe behaviour from people driving through road works.
“We completely understand that drivers have places to go and people to see, and that having to slow down for road works can be frustrating.”
“However, that is no excuse for speeding and breaking temporary speed limits,” Mr Service says.
He says it is a huge safety risk for road crews.
“Live traffic lanes are incredibly dangerous, and our crews are often just centimetres away from them. It only takes a tiny mistake to have horrendous consequences. Temporary speed limits are there for a reason, please respect them,” Mr Service says.
His view is shared by Acting Inspector Chris Brooks, Tasman District Road Policing Manager NZ Police, who says a lot of crashes Police see are due to people not driving to the conditions.
“This doesn’t just apply to weather; it also includes when roads are not operating at 100 percent.”
“Dangerous driving of any kind, including not adhering to the speed limit – whether it be temporary or otherwise – is taken very seriously by Police, and following road works signage and speed limits through these areas is essential in keeping yourself, other drivers, and workers on site safe,” Mr Brooks says.
Mr Service says safety is key but, so too, is protecting damaged sections of the highway to ensure they do not degrade further.
“For example, on State Highway 60 Tākaka Hill we have six separate sites we need to fix. Some of these are vulnerable underslips where unsafe driving and excessive speed creates a real risk of worse damage occurring.”
“We have already had to introduce a pilot vehicle on the Drummond’s slip site to keep traffic speeds down. This just adds unnecessary time and expense to the job. Damaging the road further means we will have to work there for longer and spend more money”, Mr Service says.
Mr Service says drivers also need to keep their cool when they’re delayed at road work sites.
“We are getting anecdotal reports of issues from our contractors. Please realise our crews are doing their best to fix the road so you can get where you are going.”
We ask they be respected. We treat any incidents of abusive or aggressive behaviour very seriously and will report them to the Police.”
Acting Inspector Brooks agrees, saying aggression and abuse towards road workers is unacceptable.
“It’s honestly disappointing to hear that this has become an issue – please remember that this is someone’s mum, dad, son, or daughter working at these sites.”
“We urge the public to report any dangerous driving matters or abuse, by calling 111 if it is happening now, or through our 105 channels if it is after the fact,” he says.
With the summer road works season about to get underway in October both NZTA/Waka Kotahi and NZ Police are encouraging drivers to do the right thing – respect road workers, respect speed limits, and make sure they drive safely on the roads.
Watch the keeping safe around roadworks video:
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