Rise in roadworker deaths prompts warning to slow down

Drivers approaching roadworks are being urged to slow down and take extra care as the latest figures from the Highways Agency (HA) show a sharp increase in roadworker deaths in the first half of 2005.

The number of construction workers killed on England's motorways and major 'A' roads went up in the first half of 2005 after two years of decline.

So far this year, four workers have died and five have been seriously injured in incidents on the HA's routes in England. This compares to one death and 17 serious injuries in 2004, and two deaths and ten serious injuries in 2003.

Recent Health & Safgety Executive (HSE) figures for roadworker deaths across the whole country show a similar trend. In 2004 the HSE investigated only four incidents, compared with four so far since January 2005.

The HA and its contractors have now joined forceds to ask drivers to help stop the death toll rising.

Derek Turner, HA's traffic operations director, said: "Roadworkers on the motorways and major 'A' roads are a vulnerable group of workers. Everyone is entitled to a safe workplace, yet road workers risk death and injury at work every day, often working at night, making sure our roads remain safe and in good condition.

"We appeal to drivers to slow down when approaching roadworks and obey the signs and speed limits which are there to ensure the safety of workers and drivers."

David Virden, operating group director at Mouchel Parkman, which manages six of the HA's maintenance areas, said: "Our staff perform essential works every day to ensure roads and bridges are maintained and kept safe for everyone. We are dedicated to enhancing the safety of our workforce.

"This is a continual process and we do this through very specific, detailed training and provision of the correct vehicles and safety equipment. However, we are unable to control the actions of the travelling public. Increasingly, our workforces are experiencing dangerous actions by drivers.

Scott Millar, service director at Amey, added:  "We strongly support all campaigns which encourage safer driving through roadworks. We believe that stressing the importance of respecting speed restrictions, maintaining lane discipline and staying out of coned off lanes will help to protect our colleagues at their place of work."