As roadside work ramps up across Prince Rupert and the North Coast this spring and summer, drivers are being reminded to slow down and stay alert behind the wheel to help protect workers along local roads and highways.
The annual Work Zone Safety campaign, launched Tuesday across B.C., is designed to bring awareness to the dangers roadside workers face from distracted and inattentive drivers.
Work zones are a common sight throughout Prince Rupert and along Highway 16 during the warmer months, with road construction crews, utility workers, emergency responders, tow operators and traffic control personnel often working only metres away from moving traffic.
“Work zones are complex, fast-changing environments. If drivers lose focus even for a moment, they can miss critical cues. And that’s when people get hurt,” said Trace Acres, spokesperson for the annual Work Zone Safety campaign .
According to the campaign, 11 roadside workers were killed and another 263 were injured in B.C. between 2016 and 2025 in incidents resulting in time loss claims.
Traffic volumes also tend to increase during the spring and summer months across the North Coast as tourism, commercial transportation and construction activity pick up.
Drivers are being reminded to actively scan for changing traffic patterns, uneven road surfaces and workers directing traffic through construction zones.
“If you’re distracted, fatigued, or speeding, you may not have enough time to react safely,” Acres said. “A moment of inattention can have life-changing consequences.”
Under B.C.’s Slow Down, Move Over law, drivers approaching emergency vehicles or roadside crews with flashing lights must reduce their speed and move over when safe to do so.
Motorists are required to slow to 70 kilometres per hour in zones where the speed limit is 80 km/h or higher, or to 40 km/h in lower-speed areas.
Driving offences including speeding, using a cellphone behind the wheel or disobeying traffic control personnel can result in fines of up to $368 and penalty points.
Jennifer Whiteside, B.C.’s Minister of Labour, said drivers play a major role in keeping roadside workers safe.
“The important responsibility that drivers have to slow down and stay alert can make the difference between safety and tragedy,” Whiteside said.
Drivers can find more information and safety tips through the Road Safety at Work website.
