Footage released today shows the risk faced by people working to improve or maintain England’s motorways and major roads.
The video clips feature two examples of workers narrowly escaping serious injury when inattentive drivers ignore signs on the road and do not slow down.
The footage has been produced as new figures show that last year saw the highest number of serious injuries among incident response teams since 2007, with 10 road workers suffering major injuries.
Roads minister John Hayes said: “The safety of those who work around the clock to carry out vital improvements and keep drivers moving after incidents is absolutely paramount.
“It is not worth putting road workers’ lives at risk, let alone the tragic impact on their lives and those of their families, simply to shave a few seconds off your journey.”
The Highways Agency’s advice for driving safely at roadworks is to keep within the speed limit, get into the correct lane in good time, concentrate on the road ahead, be alert for works traffic leaving or entering roadworks, keep a safe distance and observe all signs.
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