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