6,500 vehicles have driven into roadworks in the last three years and reported abuse cases have risen by 10%, despite lower traffic flows in 2020.
Highways England is urging motorists to drive carefully through roadworks as it reveals new research and shocking footage that show the dangers of not paying attention.
Latest data shows road workers have reported around 6,500 incidents over three years of drivers going through cones and into roadworks sites – an average of 175 a month.
To mark Road Safety Week (16-22 November 2020), Highways England, the Government company responsible for the country’s motorways and major A roads has released CCTV footage showing vehicles careering into roadworks sites, putting drivers and roadworks in danger.
Other examples show how a lack of concentration can lead to drivers veering into the cones or even following roadworks vehicles into the roadworks.
Highways England plans maintenance and improvement projects to allow works to proceed in the safest and most cost-effective way, with minimum disruption to road users.
As part of Road Safety Week Highways England is asking road users to:
respect road workers – slow down near road works and obey speed limits and signs.
consider that just because workers aren’t visible, it doesn’t mean they are not present. Many operations take place at night, but also applies when visibility is restricted by works vehicles and equipment.