Construction workers shot at, according to survey

Road maintenance workers are suffering abuse and violence on a regular basis from passing motorists, an employee survey has revealed. Incidents include being shot at with air rifles and pelted with bottles, according to the survey carried out by Amey, BEAR Scotland and the RAC Foundation.

Four out of five road workers in central and southern Scotland reported being abused by passing drivers. Almost a third of the incidents involved acts of aggression, such as having food, bottles and other missiles hurled at them from passing vehicles. Almost 40% of the incidents happen on a daily or weekly basis. In addition nearly 80% of ‘near misses’ recorded at roadworks in the last 12 months were due to poor driver behaviour.

The survey was carried out in order to highlight the growing level of abuse and violence road workers are suffering from motorists, which peaks in the summer months, as holiday makers take to the roads.

Bruce Donaldson, Amey's unit manger for south-west Scotland, said: “Can you imagine trying to do your job with cars flying past at 70mph in all weather yet all you have to protect you is a plastic cone, a hard-hat and high-vis clothing? Members of our team have been shot at with air rifles, had missiles hurled at them and endure daily verbal abuse which is inexcusable." He said the abuse was worse at short-term and overnight works.

John Murphy, of BEAR Scotland, which maintains Scotland’s trunk roads in the south east and north east, added: "By raising the awareness of the travelling public to the dangers and hostile response that these guys often face in their everyday work, we would hope to see a reduction in the abuse that they have to face in providing what is, after all, an essential service.”

Edmund King, Executive Director for the RAC Foundation said: “There is no excuse for attacking roadworkers or driving recklessly through road works in an attempt to speed up the journey. Ironically- speeding through road works leads to accidents and hence further delays.”