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This article was published on Wednesday, 18 September, 2019. The information contained within may be out of date or inaccurate. News articles and media releases older than 60 days are archived for future reference.

Help our workers to stay safe – slow down at worksites “Real Workers, Real Speed Limits”

Council launched the campaign “Real Workers, Real Speed Limits” to raise awareness and encourage drivers to slow down and obey traffic management signage at worksites in order to keep both themselves and workers safe.

Every year there are thousands of accidents and near misses where drivers fail to reduce their speed to the posted limit when driving through roadworks. Real workers, Real Speed Limits is a road safety initiative asking motorists to be more aware of their speed and to slow down when driving through road works.

Greater Shepparton City Council Director Infrastructure Phil Hoare said everyone has the right to a safe workplace and the focus of this campaign is for our staff who work in road reserves on a daily basis are kept safe.

“We want all of our workers to go home to their families every night. We have staff required to work every day within road reserves and close to moving traffic. Every day our staff that complete activities such as mowing, maintaining gardens, repairing signs, picking up rubbish and repairing road surfaces face the prospect of being hit by a speeding vehicle,” Mr Hoare said.

“It’s a very real danger for our staff particularly when drivers fail to stay alert, use mobile phones and ignore speed restrictions implemented at these worksites.

“for the sake of our staff and their loved ones we ask that drivers think of the consequences stay alert and abide by the speed restrictions at worksites and always travel at a speed that is safe for the conditions.”

The risk of death or injury increases rapidly with small increases in speed. Greater Shepparton City Council Chief Executive Officer Peter Harriott said drivers needed to realise that speeding and distractions are dangerous and puts lives at risk and we are particularly focussed on the safety of our staff at worksites.

“Unfortunately, if vehicles are not travelling at the reduced speed limit, the ability and opportunity for both the driver and our workers to avoid a potentially fatal incident is reduced significantly,” Mr Harriott said.

“Our workers have a right to a safe work place and drivers need to play their part in providing it. A reduction in speed significantly reduces the likelihood of being involved in a crash.”

Speed restrictions placed at worksites, are real, enforceable speed restrictions and are a mandatory requirement under the Road Management Act 2004.