It’s a sure sign of spring, road construction.
Like many seasonal arrivals, spring means a return to the road construction season which means local residents have to learn to slow down and be aware of warning signs in order to avoid endangering themselves and those who are working to improve local roadways.
Everything from pot hole repairs to road grading will be swinging into full force as the temperature rises. Drivers need to be more proactive in watching out for workers and for signage that warns in advance of the need to slow down and pay attention.
Every year it seems someone in the province is killed working on a road crew, usually because they are the ones on the front line, trying to stop traffic before it can come into the path of large machinery hard at work on road construction projects.
It is sadly ironic that someone whose job it is to warn others of danger is often the one in the most danger from drivers who don’t pay attention, lack the patience to slow down and obey direction or who are simple too stupid to realize they are driving a potential weapon not some tinker toy.
Spring also means more people are out and about, on the go in every type of vehicle, legal and not-so-legal.
It seems as soon as the last of the snow melts away bikes, skateboards and all types of motorized vehicles come out of their winter hibernation, so too come the operators of such vehicles.
Warmer weather also means more activity at local playgrounds and sporting fields, increasing the number of potential pedestrians on local streets and roadways.
Drivers should be using extra caution particularly around parks and schools as students, used to be stuck inside during the winter, are suddenly free on the playground to run around to their heart’s desire.
Runners and bikers, also excited to be outdoors again for their regular exercise, are also popping up on local roadways and those behind the wheel need to be proactive in avoiding any potential situations that could put someone in harm’s way. Just a little caution can go a long way to ensuring everyone makes it through spring and into summer in one piece.
Patience, particularly patience behind the wheel, seems to be a dying art.
Everyone, as evident by the number of people talking and texting while driving, seems to be in a bigger hurry all the time, pushing to get from point A to point B in the quickest time.
Is a few seconds saved worth a life? Driving with a little more care and attention could ultimately save somene’s life.