Ignoring signage at road works puts lives at risk
Drivers who ignore road work signage and other restrictions at road works are
putting their lives and the lives of road workers and other road users at risk.
That’s the stark message to drivers from the Quarry Products Association of
Northern Ireland. The warning is fully endorsed by Transport NI, the PSNI, and local
contractors.
A joint statement issued on behalf of all three organisations that together, plan,
deliver and police road works said “The maintenance work that is carried out on
the road network across Northern Ireland is essential to ensure that the
condition of roads is maintained to an appropriate standard of safety.
“On occasions road improvement schemes require roads to be closed
temporarily to ensure the safety of road users and road workers. While every
effort is made to reduce inconvenience to the public, we ask that everyone cooperates during the works in the understanding that signage and diversions
are necessary and that they are in place for the minimum period in time.
“All signage is collected when not required therefore demonstrating mutual
respect for both the road users and the road worker.”
All road closures have legal authority, through The Roads (NI) Order. It is the
responsibility of the contractor and TransportNI to co-ordinate closures with local
Police and to ensure that the road works and diversions are signed in compliance
with the appropriate legislation.
Drivers have a legal obligation to abide by the closures and obey the signs at the
road works. Ignoring signs and unauthorised entry into a road closure area could
result in prosecution.
Regional Director of QPANI, Gordon Best, who represents the majority of road
contractors in Northern Ireland is appealing to road users to show care and
consideration when driving close to or through road works. “Due to the nature of
the site and working environment, road workers often work in close proximity
to passing traffic which could be travelling at high speed. We, as a society,
expect our contractors to work unsociable hours, often in poor weather
conditions and light.
“I fully appreciate that road closures and delays can be extremely frustrating
for road users, however, safety must come first.”
In Northern Ireland contractors have reported verbal abuse and a number of road
workers have been injured as a result of inconsiderate drivers ignoring restrictions.
The Department for Regional Development's head of TransportNI, Dr Andrew Murray
fully supports the initiative: “Everyone has a role to play. For drivers it’s simple,
take extra care when travelling through road works, obey the signs and help
keep everyone safe.”
PSNI Inspector Rosie Leech explained: "Breaking temporary speed limits, road
closures or other temporary restrictions at roadworks is incredibly dangerous
and could easily result in death or serious injury, considering road workers
can be working alongside moving traffic, or indeed working on sites which
have been closed to traffic.
“At major roadworks, lane alignment, road layout and temporary surfaces can
change regularly, and in many instances there is no hard shoulder available so
it is absolutely critical that motorists respect temporary restrictions, directions
or diversions. There can be no justification for breaking these temporary
speed limits day or night, whether there appears to be work ongoing or not.
Police continue to work closely with our TransportNI colleagues and will pay
particular attention to driving standards where temporary restrictions are in
place”.
All responsible road users will realise that temporary restrictions at road works are
there to make our roads safer for everyone.
For further information please contact Gordon Best Regional Director Quarry
Products Association NI Tel 02890824078, mobile 07876 136929 or email
[email protected].
TransportNI contact - Stephen Tweed 02890540418 email
[email protected]
PSNI contact – Christopher Carson
Corporate Communications Officer
Corporate Communications Department
Police Headquarters
65 Knock Road
Belfast BT5 6LE