New safety gear introduced for front-line roadway construction workers
(News Release, May 19, 2005)

Edmonton….Additional measures are being taken to prevent collisions and injuries in roadway construction zones. This season, government and industry safety experts are introducing new bright green coveralls for flagpeople, so motorists can better identify them. New Provincial Government Legislation is also hoped to make a difference, as recent amendments to the Traffic Safety Act double the fine for speeding in a construction zone when passing workers.

“We all have obligations to be careful in and around road construction sites,” said Dr. Lyle Oberg, Minister of Alberta Infrastructure and Transportation. “There are far too many casualties among both motorists and workers in construction zones and the vast majority of these collisions are preventable.”

The province-wide “Partners in Road Construction Safety” (PIRCS) organization hopes to reduce the more than 500 collisions that occur every year at roadway construction sites in Alberta.

PIRCS will spend approximately $260,000 this spring to promote construction zone safety through radio advertising, billboards, and signs in construction zones that feature the well-known “Don’t RIP Through Construction Zones” slogan. In 2003, there were 541 collisions in construction zones that resulted in one death, 156 injuries, and 425 incidents of property damage.

“We are always working on making construction zones safer, making workers more visible, and minimizing the inconvenience to drivers. We need the motorists’ help to make these zones safer for everyone,” explained Heidi Harris, PIRCS Chair.

“The May long weekend is the unofficial start of Alberta’s road construction season,” Harris added. PIRCS Chair. “We recognize that construction often causes delays and frustration. For the safety of road and utility workers and motorists, we ask drivers to slow down through construction zones and be alert for other hazards even if they don’t see workers or equipment.”

Construction zones will be plentiful this year as the provincial government and municipalities will invest over $1 billion in road construction.

PIRCS partners include the Alberta government, the City of Edmonton, the Alberta Roadbuilders and Heavy Construction Association, City of St. Albert, City of Red Deer, Strathcona County, Edmonton Police Service, ENMAX, and EPCOR.

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Media enquiries may be directed to:
Heidi Harris
Chair
Partners in Road Construction Safety
Phone: (780) 436-9860 Cell: (780) 918-5047