Strathcona County, Alta. - As the weather warms up residents can expect construction season to start once again this year. The Strathcona County RCMP wants to remind motorists that when you are driving through a construction zone, always obey the posted speed limit, even if you do not see any workers.
Safety is always the highest priority for road construction projects. Speed reductions in construction zones protect both workers and the travelling public.
For the safety of road workers: speed fines are doubled when workers are present.
“We want to remind motorists to take care around construction sites and pay close attention to signage and flag persons,” says Cst. Chantelle Kelly of the Strathcona County RCMP. “It is important that motorists, pedestrians, cyclists and construction workers make it home safe at the end of the day.”
As a driver, you may not always see the hazards in a construction zone, but they still pose a threat. Lowered speed limits help reduce these hazards.
While sometimes it may be possible for contractors to remove or cover speed reduction signs when no workers are present, this isn’t always possible. Every construction project is different.
For example, major capital projects like road widening require narrowed lanes, barriers and uneven pavement. These hazards cannot be eliminated which means speed limit reductions must remain.
If a speed reduction sign is not covered, it’s because there are hazards present. Obey speed limits in construction zones. Posted speed limits continue to apply and are enforceable whether or not workers are present.
For more information on construction safety please visit www.strathcona.ca/constructionzone.