B.C. Work Zone Safety campaign has kicked off with a warning to drivers in the East Kootenays to stay alert behind the wheel.
RCMP Highway Patrol has partnered with Road Safety at Work to target unsafe driving behaviours in a work zone.
From 2016 to 2025 in B.C., 11 roadside workers were killed and 263 more sustained injuries.
“As roadside work ramps up this summer, there will be more people working just metres from traffic, doing important jobs to maintain infrastructure, and to help move people and cars through work zones safely,” said Jennifer Whiteside, Minister of Labour.
In you have to drive through a work zone, B.C. law requires you to:
- Slow down and obey posted speed limits
- Stay alert and avoid distractions, including phones and in-vehicle technology
- Obey traffic control persons and devices
When approaching a vehicle with flashing lights at the side of the road, drivers must also follow the Slow Down, Move Over law. The law requires drivers to reduce speed and, when safe, move into the next lane. Drivers must slow to 70 km/h in zones where the limit is 80 km/h or more, or 40 km/h in lower-speed zones.
“A moment of inattention can have life-changing consequences,” said Trace Acres, spokesperson for the annual Work Zone Safety.
“Staying alert when you drive through a work zone is one of the simplest ways to help them get home safely.”
Driving offences such as using a cell phone, speeding, and disobeying a traffic control person can result in fines of up to $368 and penalty points.
“Slowing down, staying alert and putting your phone away are simple actions that can prevent serious injuries and save lives,” said Todd McDonald, Head of Prevention Services at WorkSafeBC.
Road Safety at Work provides tips for drivers at https://roadsafetyatwork.ca/work-zone-safety/for-drivers/.
Employers and workers can find free resources, including work zone planning tools, checklists, and training materials, at https://roadsafetyatwork.ca/campaign/work-zone-safety/.
Comments