Both the roadway and the roadside can become inundated with obstacles, deterioration or overgrowth that may impede the flow of traffic.
For this reason, no road space remains the same from construction through usage and beyond. There will always be a need to carry out work within the road space to remove such impediments or to improve conditions for the efficient use of the road by all stakeholders.
The Ministry of Works and Public Transport, therefore, periodically engages the relevant workforce to clear, repair or make necessary improvements, depending on the circumstances within a particular road space.
Such work may include the painting of road markings, erection and renewal of signage, roadside bush clearance or day-to-day traffic monitoring by relevant road safety agencies.
These activities may take place at any time of the day, even when traffic is flowing. While everyone should be mindful of their safety in the road environment, it remains the primary responsibility of motorists to stay alert and protect all road users in their vicinity, including road workers. Motorists must also respect the vital work being carried out for the safety of all.
Respect and adhere to informative signage
All things being equal, the workforce will put up signage to inform motorists of their presence on the road and the nature of their work. This should be sufficient communication for drivers to exercise extreme caution, for their own safety, that of other motorists and that of the workers on site.
However, in some situations, the workforce may not have all the necessary resources to adequately warn oncoming traffic. Even so, any driver who encounters cones placed in the centre of the road should immediately reduce speed and proceed with caution until they understand the purpose of the obstruction.
Disregarding cones or temporary barriers often indicates a broader disregard for road rules, including previously erected speed limits near work zones.
Our road spaces are at risk of accidents involving workers due to the reckless and at times careless, attitude of some motorists who maintain excessive speed or dangerously manoeuvre through areas where people are working.
Reducing speed or stopping where necessary
Whenever a motorist encounters signage indicating roadworks or any form of obstruction, it is imperative to reduce speed and alert following drivers by switching on hazard lights.
Slowing down allows the driver to assess the situation and determine the safest course of action, whether that means proceeding slowly or coming to a complete stop.
In some cases, signage may indicate that vehicles must share a single lane because the other lane is closed.
With proper signage and direction, traffic from each side will be instructed when to stop or proceed, ensuring a safe and orderly flow of vehicles through the affected area.
TAKE AWAYS
- Motorists, be adherent to road markings and signs
- Respect workmen on the road and save life
- Exercise caution and patience around workmen on the road
- Appreciate the noble work on the road and pass with a smile
- Kill your speed or you may kill someone working on the road.
