The Victorian government is launching a campaign to counter the rise of hostility towards people who work on roads.
Research from the Traffic Management Association of Australia has revealed an increase in physical and verbal aggression towards roadworkers, including statistics showing that roadworkers are verbally assaulted an average of once a week and report one motorist refusing to stop each fortnight.
This lack of patience and associated hostility is something that bike riders regularly witness, and are subjected to.
The We’re People Too campaign will remind drivers that their actions can impact the physical and mental safety of Victorian roadworkers, and that in some instances these actions can have deadly consequences.
The campaign will run across multiple media platforms until New Year’s Eve – and will feature four Victorian roadworkers sharing details about their lives when they’re away from the roadside.
Drivers are asked to be patient and pay attention, including to temporary speed zones established around worksites to ensure roadworker safety. Penalties apply for not obeying reduced speed limits.
Hazards including roadside excavations, the presence of heavy machinery, or a change in space available for through traffic are just a few of the reasons for reduced speed limits.
The Minister for Roads and Road Safety Melissa Horne says roadworkers should be treated with respect as they carry out the important daily job of improving Victoria's road network.
“Every Victorian deserves the right to feel safe at work – this campaign is a reminder that the decisions every driver makes can be the reason our roadworkers make it home safely each day to their loved ones.”
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