Motorists reminded to drive safely in construction areas

Posted on May 9, 2024 by Sunny South News

Lethbridge County

With the arrival of spring, construction and operational projects have begun on roads throughout Lethbridge County. Crews will be busy over the next several months on road reconstruction, dust control application, vegetation management and more. These activities keep our essential transportation network safe and reliable for motorists and ensure producers can efficiently move their products.

County crews have already experienced several incidents where workers have been put at risk from vehicles passing at high speeds and too close to equipment.

To keep our road network safe for all, motorists are reminded to:

• Drive with care in any area where crews are working. Workers may be in vehicles and equipment or on roads, approaches and in ditches.

• Slow down when approaching workers and equipment and as you pass.

• Be patient when driving behind large, slow-moving equipment. It is often not as agile as smaller vehicles. Only pass when you can be certain it is safe to do so. As shoulders are soft this time of year, equipment cannot always pull aside.

• Pay attention at intersections. Even if you have the right-of-way, watch for motorists who may not be slowing down at a yield or stop sign.

Motorists should also be aware of graders on roads. They can generate dust, reducing visibility. The blade that spreads the gravel projects outwards past the wheels and may not be visible in the dust.

“At the end of the day, we all want to make it home safe,” says Cole Beck, CAO. “Our crews are working diligently to maintain over 2,000 kilometres of roads that are critical to residents, businesses and producers. Each person’s conscious decision to drive with care through construction areas helps to protect our workers so they can complete these essential tasks.”