Driver blitz to target abuse towards roadwork contractors

A campaign designed to highlight the impact of motorists driving recklessly through road works in rural and regional Tasmania has been launched by the Minister for Transport Kerry Vincent and Civil Contractors Federation CEO Andrew Winch.

Mr Winch said the civil contracting sector in Tasmania keeps the wheels of industry turning, but to do this, the many hundreds of Tasmanians who working on our roads, need to do so in a safe and respectful work environment, just like anybody else.

“Every time the police conduct a speeding blitz in roadworks, they catch multiple speeders, with some 15 caught January this year, while earlier one day blitz’s have caught 16, 43 and 25 speeders. Put simply it is not good enough.,” Mr Winch said.

“When we talk to industry, their number one concern is the safety of their workers and impatient drivers speeding needlessly through road works not only risks their lives, but also those who are simply working to make the roads better for all to us.

“To be blunt, speed limit signs at roadworks aren’t there it irritate people, they are there to make our roads safer and abusing roadside workers won’t fix a thing.”

Mr Winch said that every day there are hundreds of Tasmanians working on our roads and that is why it is paramount to increase public awareness around the safety of those road workers.

“It might be different to where most other people work, but the roads are our office,” Mr Winch said. 

Mr Winch said this year, the campaign focus on verbal abuse, which is a concern for road workers who are just doing their job trying to keep people safe.

“The road worksite is no different to any workplace and everyone wants to be treated with respect at work. 

“As the warmer months approach there will be more and more people working on our roads. Our aim is to make sure that everyone who goes to work on our roads comes home alive and safe. 

“The CCF would like to thank the Tasmanian Government for continuing to support this vital campaign."